rely

verb

re·​ly ri-ˈlī 

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

ri-ˈlī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• depend
• count

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

Small business owners, who rely on social media to promote and sell their products, were especially worried with a busy festive season looming. —Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025

Somehow, the queen can delete her own nuclear DNA and produce offspring that rely almost entirely on the sperm’s DNA. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

The technology, known as piezoelectric energy harvesting, relies on materials that produce current when flexed. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025

As a consequence, both Ukrainian and Russian forces have relied on Chinese drones and parts for their troops. —Joseph Nepomuceno, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing rely

• rely on/upon

Rhymes for rely

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

rely

verb

re·​ly ri-ˈlī 

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