RELIED Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

relied

verb

past tense of rely

as in depended

to place reliance or trust rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of relied Responses may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information and should not be relied upon as authoritative. — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 Even the Laestrygonian giants relied heavily on old-school illusion. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Previous studies relied on paleomagnetism, the study of residual magnetic traces in ancient rocks, since the orientation of those magnetic traces would have varied depending upon where that rock was located relative to Earth's magnetic field. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Those catches have become especially contentious as salmon runs have collapsed across western Alaska, where dozens of Native communities have relied on salmon for generations. — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The affected fridges relied on software by Danish firm Danfoss. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026 Timekeeping has long relied on Earth’s spin and location of the sun or moon in the sky. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 With several receivers hurt, Purdy has relied heavily on Evans, who joined the team as a free agent in March. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 So far, so good for the Heat’s free-flowing offense, which relied on off-ball movement to create lanes for the most drives and most isolations per 100 possessions in the NBA last season. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relied

Verb

The area's flooring industry has long depended on immigrant labor, and many families include a mix of citizens, legal residents, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and undocumented immigrants.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
In recent years, Arizona has depended on the Colorado River for 36% of its water.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of depended

Verb

Your vote will be counted once your eligibility and registration are verified.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Of the 186 chief executive departures Challenger, Gray & Christmas counted in August, government and nonprofit organizations accounted for 62, more than any other sector.

— Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of counted

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relics

relied

relied (on)

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“Relied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relied. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of relied

verb

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