to rely

781 1.1

To trust someone or something to give you help

verb
/rɪˈlaɪ/

: 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 rely on

vsto rely

725 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 count

vsto rely

616 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 count on

vsto rely

602 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 depend

vsto rely

490 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

477 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

233 3.1

To rely on someone for help or advice

is more about passive confidence than actively asking for help or guidance

to bank

vsto rely

44 3.2

To rely on someone or something with confidence

is the basic verb for having confidence and asking for support

to rely upon

vsto rely

38 2.3

Trust someone or something to do what you need

is the same meaning but uses shorter base verb without extra preposition

to depend upon

vsto rely

19 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

725 1.0

Trust a person or thing to do what you expect

to rely upon

38 2.3

Trust someone or something to do what you need

How Dependent

to count on

602 1.8

to rely

781 1.1

to depend on

477 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.