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Definitions

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.

He said lots of hotels, bars and restaurants rely on domestic trade across the border for weddings and functions and that the 9% rate being introduced in the Republic in the summer will affect them.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Amazon had planned to rely more on its own delivery infrastructure for packages, Reuters said, adding that the company had taken issue with the USPS’s plans to put its last-mile delivery coverage up for auction.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Free markets rely on the idea of voluntary exchange.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Together, these studies point toward a new direction in glioblastoma research focused on disrupting the communication systems that tumors rely on.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

But for countless poor people—particularly racial minorities who disproportionately rely on public assistance—that possibility looms large.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.