rely
[ri-lahy]
- to depend confidently; put trust in (usually followed by on or upon): You can rely on her work.
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Origin of rely
Synonyms
See more synonyms for rely on Thesaurus.comtrust, count, bank.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for relies
Contemporary Examples
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 EndEmily Shire
December 18, 2014
It would be the novel, which relies on words alone to create whole worlds.
The president often “relies on the logic of a law professor rather than the passion of a leader,” Panetta writes.
Instead we must decimate the mid-level leadership ISIS relies on.
ISIS does not depend on heavy weapons in Iraq, but it relies heavily on technicals to mass forces before capturing new territory.
Historical Examples
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.
He spurns faith and relies too much on his own observation and reasoning.
The BuddhaPaul Carus
He who relies on his acts of piety is worse than he who commits sin.
Mystics and Saints of IslamClaud Field
Then he relies on his damn paper and my signature to it, and turns me out!
The Chestermarke InstinctJ. S. Fletcher
rely
- to be dependent (on)he relies on his charm
- to have trust or confidence (in)you can rely on us
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Word Origin
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
v.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper