as in depending
to place reliance or trust
rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives
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Recent Examples of relying
The research team focused on solving this problem at the hardware level rather than relying only on software improvements.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
For veterans relying on disability benefits to cover rent, food or medical care, those delays can be devastating.
—Irene Watkins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The report argues for pooling funds across the industry, rather than relying solely on individual brand-supplier relationships, and highlights the importance of collective initiatives such as the Future Supplier Initiative.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
While stock-market gains may be boosting spending among wealthier households, there are signs discretionary spending is less robust for lower-income Americans relying primarily on more moderate wage growth.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Previously, conservation enforcement largely kicked in during severe droughts, relying on temporary restrictions.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
But while China has portrayed the renminbi as a convenient and safe currency for global trade, experts said that tight controls on moving money in and out of the country will deter investors and financial institutions from relying too heavily on renminbi reserves.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi illustrates how constitutional authoritarianism can be fused with majoritarian identity rather than relying solely on executive prerogative.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Officials worry about relying on his Starlink satellite internet system for communications in Ukraine.
—Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
For veterans relying on disability benefits to cover rent, food or medical care, those delays can be devastating.
—Irene Watkins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The report argues for pooling funds across the industry, rather than relying solely on individual brand-supplier relationships, and highlights the importance of collective initiatives such as the Future Supplier Initiative.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
While stock-market gains may be boosting spending among wealthier households, there are signs discretionary spending is less robust for lower-income Americans relying primarily on more moderate wage growth.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Previously, conservation enforcement largely kicked in during severe droughts, relying on temporary restrictions.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
But while China has portrayed the renminbi as a convenient and safe currency for global trade, experts said that tight controls on moving money in and out of the country will deter investors and financial institutions from relying too heavily on renminbi reserves.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi illustrates how constitutional authoritarianism can be fused with majoritarian identity rather than relying solely on executive prerogative.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Officials worry about relying on his Starlink satellite internet system for communications in Ukraine.
—Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relying
Verb
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Company leaders need to define explicitly what AI fluency means for employees depending on their role.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Anything left to mention A 4x4 transfer along a road (and beach, depending on the tide) is the usual way to get there, but the fantasy arrival would be to wade ashore after sailing along the coast on a traditional dhow.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Not counting preventive care and three covered primary care doctor visits, that spending target must be met before a policy’s other coverage kicks in.—
Julie Appleby,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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In all, Heat players previously have made 14 appearances in the 3-point contest, when counting the two appearances apiece by Jon Sunvold, Glen Rice, Daequan Cook, Jones and Herro, and single appearances by Kapono, Mario Chalmers, Duncan Robinson and current Heat assistant coach Wayne Ellington.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Air blitz begins With early voting starting Tuesday, Hancock has stepped up his spending and is leaning heavily on Abbott’s endorsement.—
Benjamin Wermund,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
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Arnold and his bandmates’ right-leaning politics, informed by their upbringings in rural Mississippi, also began to come to the fore.—
Jim Beaugez,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relying. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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