variants
also dependance
1
as in dependency
the quality or state of needing something or someone
a baby's total dependence upon his or her parents for every one of life's needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dependence
Forky has shades of Buster Bluth, the socially inept youngest sibling in Arrested Development, and Gary Walsh, the always available aide in VEEP, who brings co-dependence to dizzying new heights.
—
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2026
Countries affected by the disruption are expected to bolster energy stockpiles, direct resources to ramp up domestic production, and pursue alternative supply routes to reduce dependence on a single chokepoint.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 June 2026
Endosymbiosis can also be classified by the degree of dependence between the host and the endosymbiont.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
Reducing America’s dependence on foreign sources for critical medical products is not only a public health priority but also a national security imperative.
—W. Craig Vanderwagen, STAT, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2026
Countries affected by the disruption are expected to bolster energy stockpiles, direct resources to ramp up domestic production, and pursue alternative supply routes to reduce dependence on a single chokepoint.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 June 2026
Endosymbiosis can also be classified by the degree of dependence between the host and the endosymbiont.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
Reducing America’s dependence on foreign sources for critical medical products is not only a public health priority but also a national security imperative.
—W. Craig Vanderwagen, STAT, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
-
By focusing on legacy component replication, the company aims to reduce dependency on fragile global supply chains and shorten repair timelines for aging defense systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
-
Build Teams That Can Function Without You The real challenge is not keeping work moving, but ensuring people can truly disconnect without guilt or dependency.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
This low position is likely hindered by a reliance on offensive statistics that puts less value on Brind’Amour’s defensive abilities.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Nobody is happier or safer or healthier for having higher prices at the pump, dirtier air, more reliance on volatile international energy imports or uncertain supply chains and the loss of thousands of jobs, among other things.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
On June 1, the National Institutes of Health announced that researchers from the University of Florida would begin the first phase of clinical trials on kratom to evaluate it as a potential treatment for opioid addiction.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Authorities say Wednesday night's raid is part of a longer-term plan with more operations expected in the weeks ahead, before a third phase, which will focus on getting people who are struggling with addiction into treatment.—
Amanda Starrantino,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Soaring double-height ceilings anchor the entertaining spaces, with loft areas overlooking the living room.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
-
Dozens of VLCCs are sailing from the South China Sea and across the Indian Ocean toward the United Arab Emirates ports, where at least 30 ships were already at anchor, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward on Wednesday.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
More than an idyllic lakeside hamlet beloved by the international jet set, the northern Italian town of Como and the surrounding area are home to the country’s biggest silk-making districts, part of Italy’s fashion supply chain backbone.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
-
The Gilded Age fortunes that scandalized their contemporaries became, within a generation, the universities, museums and hospitals that form America’s civic backbone.—
Douglas P. McCormick,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Personalized treatments are built around three pillars—energetic renewal, conscious longevity, and stress management—and integrated with the landscape and architecture of the property and the regional cuisine.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
21 June 2026
-
This delightful journey starts by passing through a decorative iron gate supported by stone pillars.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
That includes people who use a portable oxygen tank or are unable to walk without the assistance of a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic or other assistive device.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2026
-
Throughout the finale, Niall continues to struggle with his identity, using chemsex parties as a crutch that are slowly but surely derailing his life.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The La Roja boss didn’t react quickly enough to the situation, instead opting for more of the same after the halftime break – rightly or wrongly relying on his mainstay players who largely brought him to this point – and didn’t change anyone until the 71st minute.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
Jimmy Kimmel Live mainstay Guillermo Rodriguez is joining the cast of the forthcoming season of the reality competition series, ABC announced on Wednesday.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
