as in depending
to place reliance or trust
rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives
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Recent Examples of relying
Hahn requested — as part of a response analysis report coming back to the board in 90 days — why the county can’t find other ways besides relying on state and federal agencies to alert people.
—
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
Rather than relying on approximations, costume designer Marci Rodgers recreated each piece from the ground up, sourcing materials that matched the originals as closely as possible, even down to the thread color.
—Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
All of them achieved their success without relying on prior audience awareness, yet would be the outliers at the modern box office, just as likely to debut on a streaming platform as in multiplexes.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 9 June 2026
Los Angeles is famously one of the most car-dependent cities in the world, relying on a spaghetti of interconnecting freeways that spread out across a sprawling area.
—New Atlas, 9 June 2026
This time there was no film, no lighting and not much theater, Dudamel relying on the sheer intensity of the music.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
More than 2 billion people—roughly one in four globally—lack access to safe water at home, with many relying on hours of daily walking or unsafe sources.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Yet windows are often overlooked, with many homes still relying on curtains or basic roller shades that do little to solve the problem.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Cuthbertson also claimed that the bank violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by rescinding his work-from-home medical accommodation and subsequently disciplining him for relying on it.
—Chase Jordan
june 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
Rather than relying on approximations, costume designer Marci Rodgers recreated each piece from the ground up, sourcing materials that matched the originals as closely as possible, even down to the thread color.
—Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
All of them achieved their success without relying on prior audience awareness, yet would be the outliers at the modern box office, just as likely to debut on a streaming platform as in multiplexes.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 9 June 2026
Los Angeles is famously one of the most car-dependent cities in the world, relying on a spaghetti of interconnecting freeways that spread out across a sprawling area.
—New Atlas, 9 June 2026
This time there was no film, no lighting and not much theater, Dudamel relying on the sheer intensity of the music.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
More than 2 billion people—roughly one in four globally—lack access to safe water at home, with many relying on hours of daily walking or unsafe sources.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Yet windows are often overlooked, with many homes still relying on curtains or basic roller shades that do little to solve the problem.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Cuthbertson also claimed that the bank violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by rescinding his work-from-home medical accommodation and subsequently disciplining him for relying on it.
—Chase Jordan
june 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relying
Verb
-
Speaking of temptation—after a third night stay, guests can stay a fourth night for free, depending on availability.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
Adults 19 and older should stay up-to-date with one or two doses, depending on risk factors, such as underlying health issues, and vaccination history.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Pratt argued that California’s lengthy ballot-counting process creates uncertainty.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
-
Cleverly shot, the film made good use of its taut 74-minute running time (not counting commercials, of course).—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Giles is struggling with the fact that the resurrected Buffy is leaning too much on him instead of finding her new path.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
-
Thin ties dropped from the neckline of the bohemian-leaning silhouette, giving the dress a slightly undone finish against the high-shine black heels.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relying. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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