reliable

[ri-lahy-uh-buhl] / rɪˈlaɪ ə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

trustworthy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decent decisive dependable good honest positive predictable respectable safe sincere solid stable steady strong true

WEAK

candid careful certain come-through conscientious constant definite determined devoted faithful firm high-principled honorable impeccable incorrupt loyal okay proved reputable responsible righteous sound staunch steadfast sterling sure there tried tried-and-true true-blue true-hearted trusty unequivocal unfailing unimpeachable upright veracious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bad broken corrupt dishonest evil false fraudulent inadequate indefinite intermittent soft uncertain undependable unfixed unreal unreliable unrespectable unstable unsteady unsuitable unsure untrustworthy vulnerable weak wobbly

WEAK

deceptive irresponsible

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.

“The truth is we are taking extra steps to ensure the voting process is accessible and the vote count is accurate and reliable, and that’s why it takes a long time,” said Alexander.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

The animals learned which route would lead to a reward and gradually developed a reliable strategy for reaching it.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

In other cases, people don’t have reliable housing to get a stool test mailed to.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

Cyrus Field failed repeatedly before building a reliable telegraph link across the North Atlantic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

With all its imperfections, modern science is a technique that is sufficiently well tuned to nature so that it works—it is a practice that allows us to learn reliable things about the world.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing reliable

TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)

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Positive Words to Describe a Person

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"My Favorite Chaperone," Vocabulary from the short story

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