Reliance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s/ re·li·ance

Meaning & Definition of Reliance

Reliance (noun)

  1. the act of relying, the state of being reliant
  2. something or someone relied on

Reliance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something or someone to which one looks for support

    "he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times"

    similar: anchor, buttress, dependence, mainstay, pillar, standby
    related: backbone, sinew(s), spine, right hand, bolsterer, crutch, handmaiden, prop, stay, anchorage, harbor, refuge

  2. the quality or state of needing something or someone

    "a baby's reliance on her parents"

    "his reliance on his next-door neighbor for all the local gossip"

    similar: dependence, dependency
    related: reciprocity, relativity, confidence, credence, faith, stock, trust
    opposite: independence, independency, self-dependence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-support
    near: autonomy, self-determination, sovereignty

Related Entry: Self-reliance (noun)

Self-reliance is a different word from Reliance. The synonyms below are for self-reliance, not for reliance.

  1. the ability to care for one's self

    "some people don't achieve self-reliance until they're over 30 years old"

    similar: independence, self-dependence, self-subsistence, self-sufficiency, self-support
    related: autonomy, freedom, self-determination, potency, power, resilience, strength
    opposite: dependence, reliance
    near: helplessness, impotence, impotency, inadequacy, weakness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reliance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reliance:

anchor, buttress, dependence, mainstay, pillar, standby, dependency

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Reliance

Words with the opposite meaning of Reliance:

independence, independency, self-dependence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-support

Related Words for Reliance

backbone, sinew(s), spine, right hand, bolsterer, crutch, handmaiden, prop, stay, anchorage, harbor, refuge, reciprocity, relativity, confidence, credence, faith, stock, trust

Near Antonyms of Reliance

autonomy, self-determination, sovereignty

Origin & Etymology of Reliance

First known use: 1606

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Reliance

Words & Phrases Containing Reliance

self-reliance

Frequently Asked Questions about Reliance

What does "Reliance" mean?

"Reliance" means the act of relying, the state of being reliant. As a noun, it is defined as: the act of relying, the state of being reliant. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reliance"?

Other words for "Reliance" include anchor, buttress, dependence, mainstay, pillar, standby and dependency. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reliance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reliance"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reliance". Common alternatives include anchor, buttress, dependence, mainstay, pillar, standby and dependency.

What is the opposite of "Reliance"?

Antonyms of "Reliance" include independence, independency, self-dependence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self-support. Near antonyms include autonomy, self-determination and sovereignty.

How do you use "Reliance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reliance" in a sentence: "he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times"; "a baby's reliance on her parents"; "his reliance on his next-door neighbor for all the local gossip".

Is "Reliance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reliance" is a noun.

Is "Reliance" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Reliance"?

"Reliance" is pronounced /ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as re·li·ance.