rely
verb (used without object)
to depend confidently; put trust in (usually followed by on orupon ).
had been relying
-
past perfect progressiveof rely.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Late Friday, firefighters had been relying on drone-based thermometers to estimate the temperature inside the failing tank, which gave a reading of 61 degrees, with 50 degrees being the goal.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026
Marcos had promised to look for new sources of oil as the country had been relying on supplies that pass through the Strait of Hormuz for 98% of its requirements.
From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2026
The utility recently installed water hookups for one secluded mountaintop community that had been relying on cisterns and a truck hauling creek water—a project Brewster said took six years to accumulate enough government money for.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025
The Chiefs had been relying all season on their defense to bail out an offense that had struggled to hit its stride.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 22, 2023
At least three of them, Cato, Clove, and Foxface, had been relying on it.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
