rely

[ri-lahy]

verb (used without object)

relied, relying 

1. to depend confidently; put trust in (usually followed by on orupon ).

   You can rely on her work.

   Synonyms: bank, count, trust

rely

/ rɪˈlaɪ /

verb

1. to be dependent (on)

   he relies on his charm

2. to have trust or confidence (in)

   you can rely on us

Other Word Forms

• misrely verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rely¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English relien, from Middle French relier, from Latin religāre “to bind fast, hold firmly”; re-, ligament

Word History and Origins

Origin of rely¹

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

Example Sentences

It’s a decision that was partly spiritual: when the world feels unmoored, it seemed perhaps worth remembering that our predecessors relied on the seasons as enveloping promises of change.

From Salon

"There is no advanced technology used today that does not rely on quantum mechanics, including mobile phones, cameras... and fibre optic cables," said the Nobel committee.

From BBC

Temu, another low-cost online retailer that previously relied on de minimis, states on its website that for its customers, there are “no import charges for all local warehouse items and no extra charges upon delivery.”

From Los Angeles Times

Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition relies on the support of ultra nationalist extremists who thought they were close to their dream of expelling Gaza's Palestinians and replacing them with Jewish settlers.

From BBC

“Ideally we would not rely on litigation alone to deal with it.”

From Los Angeles Times