Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for rely. Search instead for relu.
Definitions
Trivia Time
Which word does not share the same Latin root as rely?

rely

[ri-lahy] / rɪˈlaɪ /


Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for rely?
The closest synonym for rely in many contexts is depend. Rely is often used in the verb phrase rely on, and the phrases depend on and count on often mean the same thing. Saying that you rely on a person suggests an element of confidence or trust—it means that you know you can depend on them without them letting you down. In this sense, a person or thing on which you rely can be described as reliable or dependable. Saying that an outcome relies on something means that it’s necessary for the outcome to happen, as in Our success will rely on preparation and a little bit of luck. The phrases hinge on and rest on can be used in the same way.
Are rely and support synonyms?
Rely and support are often used in the same contexts, but they aren’t synonyms. Instead, they’re more like the two different ends of the same interaction: typically, if you’re relying on someone, they’re supporting you. The support is what’s being relied on.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Plants rely on it during photosynthesis to harvest light, while animals use related processes to efficiently convert food into energy.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

High-achieving young scientists rely less on AI than more average researchers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

With the prospect of borrowing costs being kept on hold for now, tech-rich markets were the big beneficiaries as such firms rely on debt to drive their vast investments.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Sources familiar with the way the technology is used said analysts and other defence officials rely on Maven to access and organise visual data, including satellite imagery and drone footage.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

“You should know better than that. You can’t rely on something that old.”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

The Washington region has the second-largest Salvadoran population in the U.S., after Los Angeles, and the construction industry relies significantly on workers with TPS.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

The aircraft relies on the software and has been expected to soon win approval to fly passengers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

This is where Goldie’s approach differs most from traditional advice that relies on the output from financial-planning software.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

As a result, the UK relies on imports for just under half of the diesel it uses.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Given that this book relies in part on hindsight, many historians will feel justified in condemning it as an example of Whig history.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Our team has relied on media coverage and trained student coders to flag ads that are potentially AI-generated.

From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2026

Gonzalez restarted his device and, until it booted up again, relied on nearby troops to relay his messages up the chain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

Foran said that at the time, the colonies that later became Canada relied on Great Britain and its Royal Navy for its defence, as well as indigenous peoples who served as generals in major battles.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

"If nature developed a GPS, a particle that can be relied upon to navigate thousands of kilometers across the ocean, then it would be something like this," he said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

They weren’t her favorite, but if Ophie was going to take up her own investigation it was best to be prepared, so she relied on the professionals.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

"We hope our work could pave the way for objective blood tests capable of identifying underlying biological signatures rather than relying solely on patient-reported symptoms," said Prof Pshezhetskiy.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

Igor Yelnik, founder of Alphidence Capital, a London-based global macro hedge fund, noted that funds are relying on leverage—essentially, borrowed money—more than the last time when rates were this high.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Worth Girvan said the housing-first mentality works, but there should be more permanent supportive housing built instead of relying on interim hotel housing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Even if rates don’t go up, someone relying too much on fixed income could find themselves lacking the liquidity needed for an unexpected emergency expense, such as a medical bill or home maintenance.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

He said, “I am relying on you, son.”

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara




Vocabulary lists containing rely


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training