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.

Nearby words

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 formsmis·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 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
A country which relies entirely for its defence upon mercenaries is rapidly approaching decay.
The Young Carthaginian|G.A. Henty
Professor Geddes relies on the changes in the soil and climate to account for the origin of spines in plants.
Lamarck, the Founder of Evolution|Alpheus Spring Packard
Emperor William relies on them in Germany, and the same influences are very busy taking care of Ireland.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
He relies on the prudence of Congress in relation to the measures necessary to ensure success in this matter.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Volume X (of 12)|Various
He relies for work upon the ventures of confident and contented capital.
Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents|Grover Cleveland

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.

rely

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

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Nearby words

Origin of rely

Examples from the Web for relies

rely

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

Word Origin for rely

rely