variants also dependance
Definition of dependencenext
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

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

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

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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 More recurring revenue can help Plex extract greater value from its customers over their lifetimes, make cash flow more predictable, please investors, help fund new features, and reduce Plex’s dependence on the fickle advertising market. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026 Yet alcohol contributes to millions of deaths globally each year and is linked to cancer, liver disease, unintentional accidents, violence and, importantly, dependence and addiction. Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Their major demands for the next contract include salary raises, reducing dependence on temporary workers and ensuring job security. Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 These efforts are designed to reduce America’s dependence on foreign supply chains for materials essential to modern weapons systems while strengthening domestic industrial capacity. Marc Andersen, Fortune, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
  • Domestic recycling from secondary sources represents one pathway to reduce that dependency.
    Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
  • For incident response agents, this means producing an investigation trail with relevant alerts, logs, metrics, deployment and infrastructure events, and dependencies.
    Raman Varma, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Hamilton coped best with adapting his driving style around Formula 1's new reliance on battery power to take pole position in qualifying for Saturday's sprint race.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • The investment also reflects a broader push across Europe to expand domestic chip manufacturing and reduce reliance on overseas production for strategically important technologies.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Cherokee leaders frame the project as an existential response to surging opioid deaths in rural communities, aiming to protect language and future generations from addiction’s toll.
    Sarah Liese, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The movie serves both as a farewell to the franchise, and a reminder of how years of addiction, feuds and legal battles pushed Margera — who had second-billing for the first three films — to the sidelines.
    Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • She has also been spotted working as a substitute anchor for various personnel, particularly on weekends.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • With a fresh margarita in hand, Josef launches into a 70-minute monologue about his Life and Times, which carries on past Nathan’s anchor-watch shift and into Coop’s.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Building a century of infrastructure What Bucyrus built in South Milwaukee fanned out across the country, shaping the backbone of modern America.
    Malika Bowling, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Brut Champagne gives the drink its backbone—its acidity stays crisp against the other players, keeping the drink focused and bright.
    Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The only way to preserve our republic is to strengthen the pillars of our present with the mortar of our past.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • These clips, showing first-person views from drones striking military and logistical sites, have become a pillar of Ukraine’s wartime propaganda efforts to illustrate battlefield successes against Russia.
    Marc Santora, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Like, if the end is to predict nature, to be able to find formulas and theorems that are true, understanding may be a crutch.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 25 June 2026
  • That includes people who use a portable oxygen tank or are unable to walk without the assistance of a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic or other assistive device.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • The artist is also a mainstay at some of fashion's biggest circuits.
    Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
  • Newer spaces like Salted Melon, The Craic and Laurel Park offer fresh takes with a relaxed feel and fun patio spaces, while mainstays like Rhino Market and Arthur’s fill up with longtime fans.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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