variants
also dependance
1
as in dependency
the quality or state of needing something or someone
a baby's total dependence upon his or her parents for every one of life's needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of dependence
Brzeski said the war has underscored Germany's heavy dependence on energy imports.
—
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Barona is pursuing the improvements to enhance water reliability, reduce dependence on groundwater and support the long-term sustainability of the Barona community.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Platinum’s biggest supply risk stems from its heavy dependence on South African mines, where power outages and labor disputes can disrupt mining output.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Unless the bloc’s leaders reduce dependence on fossil fuels, this crisis won’t be the last.
—Gabrielle Ng, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Barona is pursuing the improvements to enhance water reliability, reduce dependence on groundwater and support the long-term sustainability of the Barona community.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Platinum’s biggest supply risk stems from its heavy dependence on South African mines, where power outages and labor disputes can disrupt mining output.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Unless the bloc’s leaders reduce dependence on fossil fuels, this crisis won’t be the last.
—Gabrielle Ng, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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His mental health has severely deteriorated, his financial situation is terrible, and his drug dependency is at its worst.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The developer just adds it to their dependencies and calls a function to wrap the key.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But critics say widespread reliance comes with health and environmental risks, as long-term exposure has been linked to cancer and other chronic diseases.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, firms are reducing their reliance on external labor.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While there has been no substantive research into the effect of prediction markets on sports gambling addiction, the experiences of the coach and the accountant are not uncommon for treatment experts.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Indonesia began implementing a new government regulation at the end of March banning children younger than 16 from accessing digital platforms that could expose them to addiction, pornography, online scams and cyberbullying.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The National Mall and Lincoln Memorial anchor an outdoor collection of monuments, while the National Museum of African American History & Culture traces slavery, emancipation, the Civil Rights movement and African American achievement in sports, music and government.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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As part of its investment, IBM’s FutureNow Chicago delivery center will become an anchor tenant at the IQMP’s Quantum Works building, which is expected to be completed by 2028.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some backbone and detail on issues such as water, immigration and the role of money in politics could help elevate the conversation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Cotton is the backbone of Levi’s business.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Downriver from the Shoshone Falls are the Pillar Falls, a low waterfall split by rock pillars.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
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As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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From ordering groceries to using AI to write for us, the digital world has become a facilitator but also a crutch.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
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In some ways, these formal elements could serve as a crutch for the show, the main distinguishing feature in its arsenal.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Neighbors described the victim as a mainstay in the community, friendly and generous to regular customers, and the shooter as someone who’d been kicked out of the store before.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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This specialized category of exercise made its way into fitness centers around 2000, and it's been a mainstay since.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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