RELY Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

rely

verb

ri-ˈlī

Definition of rely

as in to depend

to place reliance or trust rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of rely Many off-grid communities have long relied on costly, polluting diesel generators. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 Many in Kabul, like Ahmadi, are forced to rely on tanked in water from private companies. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 Fares pay for less than 15% of the cost of Miami-Dade’s transit system, which relies mostly on property taxes and sales taxes to operate. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 Travel agencies connect to suppliers, and every node in the ecosystem relies on technology platforms at various stages. — Sanjay Ghare, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rely

Verb

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that Republicans had substantial campaign funds to deploy and that the result could depend on whether Democrats turn out their voters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
In the Shawnee, conservationists point to threatened wildlife such as the Indiana bat and timber snake that depend on an intact forest habitat.

— Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of depend

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“Rely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rely. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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