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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of dependence
Because the Security Context Graph can operate across security products, IT systems, HR systems, data lakes, and line-of-business applications, organizations may reduce dependence on centralized ingestion models.
—
K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Suez exposed the depth of Europe’s dependence on the United States.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
The sign’s app dependence means that the $149 device would essentially be bricked if the app were to close.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Yet, any large-scale damage today would have far greater consequences than in the telegraph age, given the world’s near absolute dependence on data flows through these cables.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Suez exposed the depth of Europe’s dependence on the United States.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
The sign’s app dependence means that the $149 device would essentially be bricked if the app were to close.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Yet, any large-scale damage today would have far greater consequences than in the telegraph age, given the world’s near absolute dependence on data flows through these cables.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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More engineers introduce additional dependencies, longer review cycles and inconsistent development patterns.—
Prashanthi Kolluru,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Why This Market Evolution Matters In practical terms, biomanufacturing can reduce dependency on volatile crop yields, seasonal constraints and the capital expenditures associated with large cultivation footprints.—
Thomas Andersen,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Noun
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While more experienced doctors might have the ability to fall back on years of clinical expertise, some worry that reliance on such a medical tool might lead to dependence and misplaced confidence among medical students and junior doctors.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
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My analysis suggests that fully utilizing California’s current in-state SAF production capacity could reduce the cost of gasoline production by roughly 20 to 40 cents per gallon by increasing supply flexibility and reducing reliance on higher-cost imports.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
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But behind the scenes, Lebron, 32, tells PEOPLE, the new influx of cash was financing a severe drug addiction.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
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Murdaugh also testified on his own behalf, admitting to lying to law enforcement and his yearslong addiction to opioids that often led to tension within his household.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Following the order each state joined the union, an anchor or correspondent has gone on the road to showcase its personality.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
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Other new lineup tweaks includes Symone Sanders Townsend and Michael Steele joining new co-anchor Luke Russert on The Weeknight.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Noun
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The Vast satellite bus—essentially a backbone providing power, propulsion, and navigation for various payloads—will be based largely on technology ported over from the company’s Haven-1 space station, which is due to launch for the first time next year as the world’s first private space station.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
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And the power of the internet essentially driving everything and being the backbone of everything.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The library is a one-story brick building with two white pillars up front sticking out like tusks, smooth and thin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Laneda made Cornerstone Baptist Church another pillar of Jeffries’s upbringing.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Mary Todd Lincoln, amid her grief, grabbed the crutch of Spiritualism.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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From ordering groceries to using AI to write for us, the digital world has become a facilitator but also a crutch.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mingling with all the new developments each summer, there are plenty of mainstay institutions and events that are gloriously familiar to frequent visitors.—
Nick Scott,
Robb Report,
17 May 2026
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And for the first time, top Wall Street banks weren’t just attracting WASP or old-line German Jewish men with family ties to banking, the historic mainstays of the finance world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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