rely

[ri-lahy] / rɪˈlaɪ /

VERB

have confidence in

Synonyms

STRONG

await bank bet build calculate commit confide count depend entrust expect hope lean look reckon trust

WEAK

be confident of be sure of believe in bet bottom dollar on gamble on have faith in lay money on ride on coattails swear by

Antonyms

STRONG

disbelieve disregard ignore keep straighten

WEAK

be independent distrust doubt

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.

And the tool relies heavily on the underlying artificial-intelligence models of companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, which are actively competing for the same software engineering users who have made Cursor a runaway hit.

From The Wall Street Journal

GBS machines rely on photons, the basic particles of light, to generate probability calculations that would require thousands of years for even the fastest classical supercomputer to complete.

From Science Daily

Supercapacitors are a developing category of energy storage devices that rely on electrostatic charge storage instead of the chemical reactions used in batteries.

From Science Daily

City AM's Adam Bloodworth concluded that the show at its core "is actually a fairly analogue musical experience", which sustains its quality "without relying on particularly viral moments, gimmicks or tricks".

From BBC

Companies that rely on Indian truckers may have to reconsider their business model.

From Los Angeles Times

rely

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

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