rely

verb

re·​ly ri-ˈlī How to pronounce rely (audio)
relied; relying

intransitive verb

1
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water
2
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
relier noun

Examples of rely in a Sentence

rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives
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.
Related Articles Gucci will rely on Marque’s 25 years of experience in brand, merchandising and retail management. Luisa Zargani, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025 What This Means For You For updates on bird flu during the communication freeze for federal health agencies, rely on credible research centers like the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy or Johns Hopkins’ Center for Outbreak Response Innovation. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2025 Busy taxpayers rely on their public officials to brief them on the highlights. Chris Papst, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025 Much of Colorado’s $40 billion state budget as well as its hospitals, universities, early childhood programs, research laboratories, and other agencies and groups rely on federal funding for day-to-day operations. Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rely 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relien to rally, from Anglo-French relier to retie, gather, rally, from Latin religare to tie out of the way, from re- + ligare to tie — more at ligature

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rely was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near rely

Cite this Entry

“Rely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rely. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

rely

verb
re·​ly ri-ˈlī How to pronounce rely (audio)
relied; relying
1
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
2
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water

Legal Definition

rely

intransitive verb
re·​ly
relied; relying
: to depend with confidence : place faith

More from Merriam-Webster on rely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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