dependent 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈpen-dənt How to pronounce dependent (audio)
Definition of dependentnext
1
as in dangling
extending freely from a support from above the dependent willow branches swayed in the gentle breeze

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in conditional
determined by something else our going to the movies tonight is dependent on whether or not we have any money left after we eat out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dependent

2 of 2

noun

as in parasite

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 dependent
Adjective
Unlike Anthropic, whose infrastructure includes four different types of chips, OpenAI’s fleet is largely dependent on Nvidia GPUs. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2026 The responsibility of your care is dependent on which of the companies your reply comes from. — Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
Spouses who file their taxes separately are not each able to claim the same dependent, said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. — Annie Nova, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 The Internal Revenue Service has specific rules that determine who can be claimed as a dependent. — Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependent
  1. dangling
  2. conditional
  3. parasite
  4. hanging
  5. tentative
  6. leech
  7. free rider
  8. sponge
Adjective
  • Kelly wore a bright orange Roland Mouret midi dress, paired with light brown stiletto heels and matching jewelry, including multiple rings and small dangling earrings.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
  • The three cats quickly get distracted, though, by the dangling, bright lightbulb and string hanging above them.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 June 2026
Definition of dangling
Adjective
  • The palace said all conditions attached to Najib's conditional pardon had been fulfilled and that the royal prerogative of pardon must be respected.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • If management cannot evidence independent verification, commission it, starting with customer-facing and regulated systems, and make continued deployment conditional on the results.
    — Stephen Pitt-Walker, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of conditional
Noun
  • Different parasites have evolved different ways to interfere with those systems.
    — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The intestinal parasites feast on their hosts, sucking valuable nutrients from mammals.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of parasite
Adjective
  • The set of three miniature lights each features a vintage hanging-lantern design that looks straight out of a storybook and casts a warm gold glow across your collection.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of hanging
Adjective
  • Kawajiri crashes the two together both with a rather sweet, tentative courtship and plenty of comedy around the anxiety which would accompany any new romance, let alone one between two shut-ins with no game.
    — Kambole Campbell, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The California State University system reached a tentative agreement with the CSU Employees Union, which represents about 14,500 staff including custodians, nurses and IT specialists.
    — The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tentative
Noun
  • Kraus explains that was an era where practicing medicine involved leeches; germs hadn't been discovered and antibiotics hadn't been invented.
    — Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Yes, tap water is lower in microplastics than most bottled water, but bottling that tap water in plastic means microplastics leech into it.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of leech
Noun
  • Fruit, ginger shots, sea moss beverages, tea, and water were on hand, in alignment with her alcohol-free rider and commitment to sobriety.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of free rider
Noun
  • As such, using the same sponge on different surfaces promotes the spread of any bacteria hiding in your sponge.
    — Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 2 Nov. 2026
  • What became apparent to us was that the game was like a sponge for silly ideas.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of sponge

Browse Nearby Words

dependency
dependent
dependents
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Cite this Entry

“Dependent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependent. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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