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
In Downtown, people are now living in greater fear—poverty and desperation, as well as substance dependence and worsening mental health, have driven up interpersonal conflict in the neighborhood and depressed home values, leaving more properties and lots vacant or derelict.
—
Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Cutting convoy risk Army planners see cargo drones as a way to reduce dependence on traditional resupply convoys.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
In general, European countries are making a point of reducing their dependence on the United States.
—Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
This dependence goes both ways and extends to military power.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Cutting convoy risk Army planners see cargo drones as a way to reduce dependence on traditional resupply convoys.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
In general, European countries are making a point of reducing their dependence on the United States.
—Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
This dependence goes both ways and extends to military power.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
-
The system tracks timing and dependencies without demanding constant attention.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
What better way to demonstrate the intent of taking primary responsibility for your own security and cutting dependency on the United States than by building your own nuclear weapons or relying more on the French and British nuclear shield?—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The ship also composts food waste and has reduced its reliance on single-use plastics.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Brazil has been hit by some of Washington’s steepest tariffs, and even if those could be reduced after the US Supreme Court tariff ruling, Brasília is keen to ease its reliance on the world’s biggest economy.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
He also was suspected in a nearby burglary in Burley to fund his addiction in the weeks before Whitney Murphy’s death, as well as another years later at a home in Eugene, Oregon, in 2021, the defense said.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Her 11-year-old daughter Selena died by suicide in 2021 after struggling with an alleged addiction to Instagram and Snapchat.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The foundation recognized the diner as a vital social and cultural anchor for the Black community in Los Angeles.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Kotb is expected to continue to fill in at the NBC morning franchise opposite Craig Melvin while regular co-anchor Savannah Guthrie continues to monitor the search for her mother, Nancy, in Arizona, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Both help fill the left side of the defense, along with youngster Shakir Mukhamadullin and current longtime backbone Mario Ferraro.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Days later, Russia struck again, targeting the high-voltage transmission lines that form the grid’s backbone.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What’s impressed Ottmann the most about Pomona’s current run is the degree to which the Panthers have followed Ponderosa’s two core pillars from a generation ago.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
-
What really sold me was walking into the entryway with the pillars and wood.—
Brendel Clark,
Freep.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One veteran described losing his leg in a drone strike and using a machine gun as a crutch to reach cover.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The filmmaker also resorts to that overused crutch of horror movies by which horrific events are revealed to be nightmares.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those two mainstays from the West Finals are part of the reason why Minnesota has a good case to make another deep playoff run, along with Plano native Julius Randle and backup big man Naz Reid.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Buehler earned two All-Star selections and two World Series rings during his 10 years in the Dodgers organization, serving as a mainstay in their rotation whenever healthy and often looking like one of the majors’ top starters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
