DEPENDENCE Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

dependence

noun

di-ˈpen-dən(t)s

variants also dependance

Definition of dependence

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

as in reliance

something or someone to which one looks for support ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 His poems also reflected on death, equality and humanity’s dependence on nature. — Peter Dziedzic, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 But an increasing dependence on Ambien, and steady increases in dosages, led him to the brink of death in 2018. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026 The re-launch comes about nine months after a large Friend protest took place in NYC, where protestors tried to bring attention to our growing dependance on technology. — David Imel, The Verge, 30 July 2026 Analysts say that dependence limits the effect of efforts to increase domestic mining alone. — Jessica Towhey, Boston Herald, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence

Noun

Engineers think in terms of architecture, dependencies, technical debt, reliability and scalability.

— Nik Froehlich, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Beijing’s goal is to lead a coalition of emerging economies as a supplier of open-source AI models, locking them into its technological and industrial ecosystems, and generating dependencies.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dependency

Noun

These failures stemmed not from new vulnerabilities, but from basic security flaws like weak passwords and unauthenticated endpoints, and reliance on assumptions over robust controls.

— Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Together, the projects will add eight new nuclear power generating units, according to media reports, as China continues to increase its reliance on nuclear energy as part of its broader energy strategy.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the Superior Court of Delaware, claims that the teens suffered years of harm from using the platforms, including social media addiction, severe sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Oscar de la Renta, Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Kate Moss and OTB’s Renzo Rosso were among the industry figures who assisted him in his personal recovery from multiple addictions, and a gradual professional rehabilitation.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

The disruption extended far beyond the classroom, leaving communities to absorb the loss of institutions that had long served as neighborhood anchors.

— Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Defensive tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino return as anchors inside, while the Hoosiers also added Kansas State edge transfer Tobi Osunsanmi from the transfer portal.

— Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

That pair — alongside Alejandro Kirk, who is under contract through 2030 — are the backbone of this team.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Millions of households that once formed the backbone of linear TV reach are no longer reachable through traditional cable buys.

— Kris Qiu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

The cues are on the pillar next to the transformer pool table.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Dior’s men’s fragrance business revolves around two modern pillars—Sauvage and Homme—and the prolific Kurkdjian thinks about the two pillars as neighboring territories.

— Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

Skall Studio is a mainstay on the Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule, best known for its billowing cotton prairie dresses, chic linen suits, and cozy woolen sweaters.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
And Ryan went on to be a mainstay in the Minnesota rotation with two All-Star appearances.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026