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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dependence
California teens living closer to cannabis retailers have higher rates of use and dependence, studies have found, while national data show daily use among young adults has quadrupled, with one in 10 using daily.
—
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Trump administration announces plans for critical minerals stockpile The US government is developing a $12 billion critical minerals stockpile in its quest to bolster its domestic supply chain and reduce dependence on China.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The recycled soils will be reused for local construction, which can reduce landfill waste, truck traffic and dependence on rural quarries.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
This dependence highlights the cascade of impact that occurs beyond the PI when research is halted.
—David Seal, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Trump administration announces plans for critical minerals stockpile The US government is developing a $12 billion critical minerals stockpile in its quest to bolster its domestic supply chain and reduce dependence on China.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The recycled soils will be reused for local construction, which can reduce landfill waste, truck traffic and dependence on rural quarries.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
This dependence highlights the cascade of impact that occurs beyond the PI when research is halted.
—David Seal, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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In multiple phone calls from jail, Nathan Gingles discussed the dependency court case, asking his friend in Texas to pass along information and criticizing Mary’s sister, who was fighting for custody against Schuler.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There’s no magic fix for Bill’s sadness, nor his drug dependency for many years.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For India, clean energy offers the chance to reduce its reliance on other countries in an increasingly volatile world.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
If the biggest stars in baseball are Japanese, South Korean or Latin American, think harder about flanking strategies that go around the NFL’s traditional reliance on North Americans.—
Rick Burton,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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John McEnroe’s son Kevin McEnroe identified with Nick Reiner — charged with murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner — in a new essay exploring their respective battles with addiction and growing up in the shadows of their famous parents.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the search for their mother, the NBC anchor and her siblings have issued emotional public statements asking for her safety and to bring her back home.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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This is a Michelin Key property where reclaimed water tower wood warms the walls, James Beard–award-winning cuisine anchors evenings, and Central Park unfolds just beyond those sculptural wooden doors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Harris and Wu would continue and broaden the party’s outreach to white suburban women, which has been a backbone for Democrats since the election.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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Revolutionizing the backbone of America Emanate targets the industrial materials sector—a $5 trillion market comprising distributors, service centers, and suppliers.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Today, only one reconstructed pillar remains at the original temple site, located outside of the main archaeological park.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Another pillar of Malaysia’s industrial push is the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), launched to attract high-tech investment along the border.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After using a crutch on Monday, Vonn tried some free skiing on Tuesday.—
Andrew Dampf,
Twin Cities,
4 Feb. 2026
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Someone stepped from the hearse, tossing his crutch.—
Chen Yuhong,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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An appearance from the Spanish Harlem native, a mainstay of the '90s and the top-selling salsa artist of all time, would help bridge generations of Latin music.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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If all goes well, the spray could not only become a mainstay of medical kits on the battlefield and hospitals, but also eventually could become part of a common or garden first aid kit.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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