rely

[ri-lahy]

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.

Origin of rely

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

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

Synonyms for rely

trust, count, bank.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for relies

count, depend, calculate, reckon, confide, await, lean, build, expect, hope, bet, commit, entrust, trust, bank, look

Examples from the Web for relies

Contemporary Examples of relies

When do we stop and start believing Jay, the person whose testimony upon which the state of Maryland relies?
Adnan Killed Her! No, Jay Did It! Serial’s Uncertain, True-to-Reality End
Emily Shire
December 18, 2014
It would be the novel, which relies on words alone to create whole worlds.
Book Bag: 5 Novels Shakespeare Sort of Wrote
Lois Leveen
October 10, 2014
The president often “relies on the logic of a law professor rather than the passion of a leader,” Panetta writes.
Exposed: The White House’s Professor-in-Chief
Jonathan Alter
October 8, 2014
Instead we must decimate the mid-level leadership ISIS relies on.
Who the U.S. Should Really Hit in ISIS
Daniel Trombly, Yasir Abbas
September 23, 2014
ISIS does not depend on heavy weapons in Iraq, but it relies heavily on technicals to mass forces before capturing new territory.
Who the U.S. Should Really Hit in ISIS
Daniel Trombly, Yasir Abbas
September 23, 2014

Historical Examples of relies

She relies on Mrs. Howe's protection till her cousin Morden arrives.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
He relies on his muscles and not on his charms, for support.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 12, June 18, 1870
Various
He spurns faith and relies too much on his own observation and reasoning.
The Buddha
Paul Carus
He who relies on his acts of piety is worse than he who commits sin.
Mystics and Saints of Islam
Claud Field
Then he relies on his damn paper and my signature to it, and turns me out!
The Chestermarke Instinct
J. S. Fletcher

British Dictionary definitions for relies

rely

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

Word Origin and History for relies

rely

early 14c., "to gather, assemble" (transitive and intransitive), from Old French relier "assemble, put together; fasten, attach, rally, oblige," from Latin religare "fasten, bind fast," from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + ligare "to bind" (see ligament). Sense of "depend, trust" is from 1570s, perhaps via notion of "rally to, fall back on." Typically used with on, perhaps by influence of lie (v.2). Related: Relied; relying.