reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce reliance (audio)
Synonyms of reliance
1
: the act of relying : the state of being reliant
2
: something or someone relied on

Synonyms of reliance

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Examples of reliance in a Sentence

he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times a baby's reliance on her parents
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The United States is advancing its efforts to reduce reliance on China for critical rare earth metals. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The moniker defines multiplayer games with simple graphics, a reliance on proximity chat, and gameplay centered around social interactions. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 It’s allowed Amazon to reduce its reliance on major carriers like UPS and FedEx, while enabling it to speed up deliveries. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026 Push-button start isn't perfect and has its own mechanical drawbacks such as accidental shut offs or reliance on a key fob. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reliance

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reliance was in 1606

Phrases Containing reliance

Rhymes for reliance

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Browse Nearby Words

reliably
reliance
reliant
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Cite this Entry

“Reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliance. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reliance

noun
re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce reliance (audio)
1
: the act of relying
2
: the condition or attitude of one who relies : dependence
3
: something or someone relied on

Legal Definition

reliance

noun
re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-əns How to pronounce reliance (audio)
1
: the act of relying
reliance on a promise
2
: reliance interest at interest 1

More from Merriam-Webster on reliance

Nglish: Translation of reliance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reliance

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