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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support
ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state
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3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dependence
Sabel and Pender saw an opportunity for Haiti to reduce its dependence on pricy, heavy fuel oil for power by building smaller-scale gas facilities.
—
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
India aims to reduce its dependence on imports, secure chips for strategic sectors, and capture a larger share of the global electronics market, shifting away from China.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
The latter reveals the fashion industry’s rising dependence on unsustainable synthetic materials.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 23 Sep. 2025
Closing that loop on location reduces dependence on long supply chains and the kinds of shocks ripple through commodity markets when geopolitics or shipping bottlenecks bite.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
India aims to reduce its dependence on imports, secure chips for strategic sectors, and capture a larger share of the global electronics market, shifting away from China.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
The latter reveals the fashion industry’s rising dependence on unsustainable synthetic materials.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 23 Sep. 2025
Closing that loop on location reduces dependence on long supply chains and the kinds of shocks ripple through commodity markets when geopolitics or shipping bottlenecks bite.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
-
Mental health experts warn that consequences may be severe as constant AI conversations can blur boundaries and fuel dependency.—
Sonia Mankame,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
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There are a variety of treatments, including counseling, medications and support groups, to help people who want to end that dependency.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Once there, climbers unclip one carabiner, reattach it to the cable after the anchor point, and then repeat with the other carabiner.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Sep. 2025
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Lu’s journal-like songwriting anchors the mythical, otherworldly atmosphere depicted on the album cover and Wisp’s viral music videos.—
John Lonsdale,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Twice a week, Manheim provides vital insights and comic relief from guests recounting their darkest addiction moments.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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The pair’s fight is fueled by the mundane (a busted dinner party) and the profound (Mark’s addiction, Dawn’s codependence, the constant pressure of professional fighting).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But reliance on soldiers of fortune undermined the Kremlin’s message of national unity and allowed an overwhelming majority of Russians to stay uninvolved.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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Deposits along its northwestern border with China and eastern coastline are being explored to boost production and reduce reliance on imports.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
At a moment when traditional publications are scuttling book reviews and the economic barriers to entry for emerging writers are harder and harder to overcome, these habits are more useful than ever.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
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But Patel demurred when CNN asked if the chain is seeing any consumer habits changing because of GLP-1 drugs.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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