rely

[ ri-lahy ]

/ rɪˈlaɪ /

verb (used without object), re·lied, re·ly·ing.

to depend confidently; put trust in (usually followed by on or upon): You can rely on her work.

Nearby words

reluctant, reluctate, reluctivity, relume, relumine, rely, rem, rem sleep, remain, remainder, remainderman

Origin of rely

1300–50; Middle English relien < Middle French relier < Latin religāre to bind fast, hold firmly. See re-, ligament

SYNONYMS FOR rely

trust, count, bank.

Related forms

mis·re·ly, verb (used without object), mis·re·lied, mis·re·ly·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for relied

Indeed, North Korea relied on China for the attack because its entire access to the Internet runs through that country.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The protests so far have relied on a small group of core organizing bodies to harness broad but diffuse support.
Eric Garner Protesters Have a Direct Line to City Hall|Jacob Siegel|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the days of yore, stars both reviled and relied on the studio system to protect them from themselves.
Why We Need Celebrity Scandals|Jessica Ferri|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nancy relied on others to make her medical decisions for her.
U.K. Courts Grant Mother Right to End Her 12-Year-Old Disabled Daughter’s Life|Elizabeth Picciuto|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But Ruby Pearl kept order, and the more responsibility she took the more Spahn relied upon her.
Gay Talese on Charlie Manson’s Home on the Range|Gay Talese|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After that they can be relied upon to do their duty quite accurately.
The Romance of War Inventions|Thomas W. Corbin
But the move had to be made, and I relied upon Lee's not seeing my danger as I saw it.
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete|Ulysses S. Grant
He could no longer be relied on to cast even his own vote once, should the occasion for voting arise.
IT and Other Stories|Gouverneur Morris
It was upon his foreign policy that he relied to maintain his authority within the kingdom.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 7|Various
Thank heavens, child, you have not turned detective, and can be relied on to keep me company!
The Automobile Girls at Newport|Laura Dent Crane

British Dictionary definitions for relied

rely

/ (rɪˈlaɪ) /

verb -lies, -lying or -lied (intr ; foll by on or upon)

to be dependent (on)he relies on his charm

to have trust or confidence (in)you can rely on us

Word Origin for rely

C14: from Old French relier to fasten together, repair, from Latin religāre to tie back, from re- + ligāre to tie

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012