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Glite Dictionary
to rely

to rely

791 1.1
To trust someone or something to give you help
  • verb
  • /rɪˈlaɪ/
translation icon : confiar en
  • For poor people who may rely on public transportation, the prospect can be daunting.
  • rely on oneself
  • rely on family
  • rely heavily on

And we, you know, we, we have to rely much more on screening.

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Examples

  • "Assessment workers reported having to rely heavily on the family to translate for the child."

    Academic text (2011)

  • And if you trust and rely on your friends, you might just find it'll change your whole life.

    Camp Hideout (2023)

  • I could always rely on you.

    Honor Society (2022)

  • If you are seeking medical treatment, you rely on these devices for your care.

    Academic text (2011)

  • And in fact, many schools rely on teaching digital citizenship to their students.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Again, we have to rely on being able to refinance that debt.

  • You can't rely on natural ability alone.

    Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher (2022)

  • That's why most writers rely on a day job to provide a steady income.

    Academic text (2011)

  • DD Rescue relies solely on contributions to keep going.

    Megyn Kelly

  • I can always rely on my friends for support during tough times.

Synonyms

to trust
vsto rely
∞ 1.0

To believe someone will do what they say

focuses more on practical dependence and needing help rather than belief
to count on
vsto rely
700 1.8

To trust a person or thing to do what you need

is broader, indicating general trust and support rather than promised actions
to count
vsto rely
671 2.1

To trust someone to help you when you need them

is broader, meaning general trust and need rather than expectation of action
to rely on
vsto rely
602 1.0

Trust a person or thing to do what you expect

is the same meaning but is the base verb without added particle
to depend
vsto rely
352 1.0

To rely on a person or thing for help

is similar but focuses more on needing active help or support
to depend on
vsto rely
309 1.0

Need help or support from something to live

is about trust and confidence rather than urgent survival need
to look to
vsto rely
133 3.1

To rely on someone for help or advice

is more about passive confidence than actively asking for help or guidance
to rely upon
vsto rely
33 2.3

Trust someone or something to do what you need

is the same meaning but uses shorter base verb without extra preposition
to bank
vsto rely
12 3.2

To rely on someone or something with confidence

is the basic verb for having confidence and asking for support
to depend upon
vsto rely
8 2.5

To trust a person or thing to give support

is the neutral verb meaning confidence and dependence without formal phrasing

Phrasal Verbs

to rely on
602 1.0

Trust a person or thing to do what you expect

to rely upon
33 2.3

Trust someone or something to do what you need

How Dependent

to count on
700 1.8
to rely
791 1.1
to depend on
309 1.0

Surface Forms

rely infinitive
relied past
relied past participle
relying present participle
relies third person singular

Etymology

Rely comes from the Latin root ligare 'to bind' with the prefix re- 'again', and through Old French it once meant 'to tie'. So to rely on someone is like being 'tied' to them, which helps remember it means to depend on or trust that person.