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
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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
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Recent Examples of dependence
And yet, Russia’s dependence on Iranian drones during the early stages of the Ukraine war has also diminished as Moscow built its own production capacity.
—
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
From that perspective, Zimbabwe’s sulfate plants may represent incremental progress rather than outright dependence.
—Ray Mwayera, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
In British Columbia, developers can use these deposits on construction costs, reducing their dependence on more expensive sources of capital.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Qatar has emerged as a key source of LNG supply to Europe, which has cut its dependence on Russian pipeline supply since the invasion of Ukraine.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
From that perspective, Zimbabwe’s sulfate plants may represent incremental progress rather than outright dependence.
—Ray Mwayera, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
In British Columbia, developers can use these deposits on construction costs, reducing their dependence on more expensive sources of capital.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Qatar has emerged as a key source of LNG supply to Europe, which has cut its dependence on Russian pipeline supply since the invasion of Ukraine.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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The vision is expected to begin with further strengthening downtown Hartford and lessening its dependency on office workers for vibrancy.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
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In the United States, federal guidance now emphasizes the importance of inventorying cloud dependencies and reducing reliance on a single provider.—
Doug Jacobson,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The novel conspiracy theory rests on events and perceptions from years ago, and its reliance on retrospective interpretations of consent should give pause.—
Chloe Melas,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
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Prior to Tuesday night’s disheartening 136-106 road loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Spoelstra was asked about his team’s unique reliance on zone defense.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jalloh's lawyers requested a 6½-year prison sentence and placement in a facility with residential drug treatment for inmates with addiction and substance abuse issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
All the secrets pour out, the revelations of infidelity and addiction and so on, as the group gives vent to the stuff that’s previously been unsayable—not to fix anything, mind you, since some things can’t be fixed.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Food & beverage Located just off the lobby entrance, Versante Hearth and Bar serves as both the hotel’s anchor and sporty social hub, open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening drinks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
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Israel’s Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system — developed jointly with Boeing and tested against Iranian threats in 2024, 2025 and now 2026 — has become the anchor of a layered regional air-defense concept that Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are seeking to integrate more permanently.—
Judah Taub,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These short-form, mobile-first series are designed for speed, shareability and cultural specificity, with local casts and languages forming the backbone of production.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
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Stretching more than 2,300 miles through 10 states, the Mississippi River forms the backbone of one of the most important economic corridors in America.—
Beatrice Peterson,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The latter, which upped the ante on Crystal and Ryan's already growing fame, has become a pillar of the American film canon.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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So this is really undercutting what is supposed to be a key pillar of their affordability message.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That confidence has become both a strength and a crutch.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Here, the re-enactments lack the level of panache that made Pez Outlaw so much fun, feeling more like a crutch than an additive aesthetic choice.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This cheesy, hearty casserole has been a mainstay on weeknight dinner tables for decades, and kids will never stop eating it up.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
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Once a mainstream mainstay, only six manufacturers offer vehicles, also rarely called station wagons, but just wagons.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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