reliance

noun

ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce reliance (audio)
Definition of reliancenext
1
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in dependency
the quality or state of needing something or someone a baby's reliance on her parents his reliance on his next-door neighbor for all the local gossip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 reliance But Canada has plans to launch hundreds of new satellites to safeguard its national sovereignty, reducing reliance on Washington, and the European Union is developing its own network of 290 satellites. — Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 9 July 2026 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made similar remarks around the G7 summit, calling it a lesson in over-reliance on a small number of providers. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 9 July 2026 That has coincided with Saudi Arabia opening more shipping routes through the Red Sea in order to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 July 2026 Without a focal point, the reliance was on Brahim Diaz, Chemsdine Talbi and Bilal El Khannouss to break from deep as a unit. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reliance
  1. anchor
  2. dependency
  3. backbone
  4. dependence
  5. pillar
Noun
  • The founder's name anchors sentences about the company's achievements.
    — Joseph Byrum, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • The 54-year-old Today show co-anchor appeared on the NBC morning show on Tuesday, July 7, wearing a blue collared dress.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of anchor
Noun
  • But the enterprise has not done the harder work of specifying the decision, workflow, exception handling, control structure, data dependencies, accountability model, and outcome that matter.
    — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • The company is exploring strategies that emphasize domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience, reflecting a growing focus on reducing dependency on complex global cold-chain networks.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of dependency
Noun
  • Kelly looks into the camera and declares the Fairway attorney and former Obama Commerce Department official has the strength, judgment and backbone to continue her legacy.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • In those neighborhoods, buses are the backbone of mobility, and improving them is among the most effective ways to expand opportunity.
    — Mike Flynn, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
Definition of backbone
Noun
  • This move completes Meta's ad automation, offering advertisers free creative variations and deepening platform dependence.
    — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Reducing China dependence Both companies see permanent magnets as a strategic technology for future industrial growth.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of dependence
Noun
  • About 42% of Colombia’s territory is covered by Amazon rainforest, and the Petro administration made rainforest protection and a transition away from fossil fuels central pillars of its environmental agenda.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Early last year, El-Sayed travelled to Washington for introductory meetings with various pillars of the Democratic establishment.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of pillar

Browse Nearby Words

reliableness
reliance
reliances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reliance. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reliance

Nglish: Translation of reliance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reliance

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