variants
also dependances
1
as in dependencies
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
as in backbones
something or someone to which one looks for support
ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in addictions
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 dependences
So, here was Ondaatje just writing about his day-t0-day, grappling with the intense swings of emotion any parent must reckon with as their children grow into autonomy, forever leaving behind the heartbreakingly sweet (and frequently tedious) dependences of childhood.
—
Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependences
Noun
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Speech systems introduce new prompts, new recognition dependencies and new escalation paths.—
Liam Dunne,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Ditching conventional hardware and data dependencies, XPENG’s Robotaxi operates entirely without LiDAR or high-definition maps.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Noun
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As songwriters, the Ottavianos usually only needed a metaphor, a single beautiful image, or a fun double entendre to serve as narrative backbones.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
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There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And unlike drug addictions, problem gambling can more easily go undetected by friends and family members.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
The tragic death of Matthew Perry was heartbreaking for millions who loved him as an actor and admired him as a man who fought, often publicly and painfully, to overcome his addictions.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
Noun
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In early 2021, anchors from large container ships hooked an underwater oil pipeline on the ocean floor some 5 miles off Huntington Beach’s coast, bending it like a straw.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
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As key anchors, Courseau’s signature restaurants have transformed the neighborhood into a vibrant, diverse, sophisticated, Dallas-proud destination.—
Claudia Alarcón,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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But merger enforcement should remain focused on competition and the potential for consumer and worker harm — the core pillars of antitrust — not political disagreements over content or viewpoint.—
Bill Lockyer,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
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In information technology, the highest company score — the average of the orientation and implementation pillars — and the only 100, went to chipmaker Nvidia, which has become the world’s largest company by selling the chips and systems that have powered the development of AI models and services.—
CJ Haddad,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependences. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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