relied; relying
1
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water
2
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
Examples of rely in a Sentence
rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives
Recent Examples on the Web
In the meantime, the district has relied on bottled water to keep students and staff hydrated.
—
Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Even basic aspects of digital life—searching with Google, talking to Siri, relying on autocorrect, simply typing on a smartphone—have long been closed off to much of the world.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
The debate over development fees is especially relevant in California as local governments have increasingly relied on the charges to finance parks, streets, schools and other infrastructure and services in the decades after the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 limited property tax revenues.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Prior to the legal drama, Americans generally relied on the nightly newscasts for their daily dose of headlines.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Statute 'is valid' in Trump election interference case: DOJ special counsel Jack Smith
Two of the four charges in Trump’s election interference case rely on portions of the same statute that Fischer is challenging.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
While former President Donald Trump's legal fees and entanglements dwarf those of Mr. Biden's, both are relying on political donations to cover the costs.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
Additionally, companies often rely heavily on DEI practices such as mandatory diversity training or brief workshops with external consultants that actually depress the numbers of Black workers – and other workers of color – in leadership roles.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
The proceedings relied on eyewitness narratives of fast-moving, violent incidents.
—Courtney Dorning, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Even basic aspects of digital life—searching with Google, talking to Siri, relying on autocorrect, simply typing on a smartphone—have long been closed off to much of the world.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
The debate over development fees is especially relevant in California as local governments have increasingly relied on the charges to finance parks, streets, schools and other infrastructure and services in the decades after the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 limited property tax revenues.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Prior to the legal drama, Americans generally relied on the nightly newscasts for their daily dose of headlines.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Statute 'is valid' in Trump election interference case: DOJ special counsel Jack Smith
Two of the four charges in Trump’s election interference case rely on portions of the same statute that Fischer is challenging.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
While former President Donald Trump's legal fees and entanglements dwarf those of Mr. Biden's, both are relying on political donations to cover the costs.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
Additionally, companies often rely heavily on DEI practices such as mandatory diversity training or brief workshops with external consultants that actually depress the numbers of Black workers – and other workers of color – in leadership roles.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
The proceedings relied on eyewitness narratives of fast-moving, violent incidents.
—Courtney Dorning, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rely
Cite this Entry
“Rely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rely. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rely
verb
re·ly
ri-ˈlī 
relied; relying
1
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
2
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water
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