variants also dependance
1
as in dependency
the quality or state of needing something or someone a baby's total dependence upon his or her parents for every one of life's needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 dependence Still, analysts are skeptical about China's ability to cut its dependence on Nvidia chips. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025 Smith acknowledged that 7-OH carries the potential for physical dependence and abuse. Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025 But the reality is that car dependence entrenches debt, ill health, and vulnerability—forms of unfreedom smuggled in under the name of freedom. Henrietta Moore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025 Microsoft has also been working on developing its own AI models to reduce its dependence on OpenAI’s technologies. Reuters, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
  • When traffic collapsed after a major search algorithm update, the team reworked audience acquisition to reduce single-source dependency.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
  • As a purist, Murray defines sobriety as being completely abstinent from habit-forming substances that could cause dependency, including prescription drugs like Xanax and Suboxone.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And with her, his spiritual anchor.
    Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Strahan, who is the daughter of Good Morning America co-anchor and former NFL player Michael Strahan, posted an inspirational TikTok video detailing her journey while fighting an aggressive brain cancer diagnosis in 2023 and life after.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But as Luka approaches the critical fifth step of the program, which demands complete honesty, both men must confront dangerous secrets from their past – revelations that could either strengthen their recovery or send them spiraling back toward addiction.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
  • While both kratom and 7-OH are largely unregulated, 7-OH is far more potent and is believe to carry significantly higher risks of addiction.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But since then, Sandu has ended Moldova’s near-total reliance on Russian gas and arranged new imports from Europe.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Under the measures announced by Lightbound, who cited the evolving reliance on postal services, Canada Post would also be able to raise the price of stamps more frequently.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Arm-fat distribution is influenced by a mix of hormones, genetics, and lifestyle habits.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
  • His work ethic and practice habits are exceptional.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dependence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!