reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying : the state of being reliant

2

: something or someone relied on

Synonyms

• anchor
• buttress
• dependence
• dependance
• mainstay
• pillar
• standby

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

Sourcing the minerals from Ukraine would reduce future reliance on Russia and China. —Samya Kullab and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025

Nine of 10 respondents said Canada should reduce its reliance on the United States. —Kate Linthicum and Denis Calnan Los Angeles Times (tns), arkansasonline.com, 16 Feb. 2025

As widely expected, the White House has run out of patience for Europe's reliance on Washington to carry the bulk of the burden with defense spending. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025

By reducing reliance on new mining and investing in sustainable alternatives, the US can achieve greater mineral sovereignty while mitigating the environmental and social costs of resource extraction. —Michaela Rychetska and Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reliance

• self-reliance

Rhymes for reliance

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

Kids Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

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 

1

: the act of relying

reliance on a promise

2

: reliance interest at interest 1