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
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support
ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state
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3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dependence
For Russia, the threat derives not merely from its former southern colonies breaking out of post-Soviet dependence but also from the potential instability within its own borders should ethnic Turkic regions such as the Tatarstan and Buryatia feel inspired to follow suit.
—
Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The problem is the nation’s dependence upon China for the mineral graphite used in batteries powering everything from watches to weapons systems.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
Such arrangements would reduce Ukraine’s dependence on foreign supply chains, fortify its domestic capacity, and foster long-term interoperability with NATO forces.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
This dependence curtails privacy, limits use, and reinforces existing gender norms.
—Trickleup, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The problem is the nation’s dependence upon China for the mineral graphite used in batteries powering everything from watches to weapons systems.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
Such arrangements would reduce Ukraine’s dependence on foreign supply chains, fortify its domestic capacity, and foster long-term interoperability with NATO forces.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
This dependence curtails privacy, limits use, and reinforces existing gender norms.
—Trickleup, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
-
Only 5% of companies assess their environmental impacts, fewer than 1% understand their dependencies on nature.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Simultaneously, the labor market is quickly transitioning off its dependency on government and back to the productive private sector.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Noun
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The Defenders: Guardrails And Context Builders Think of these as your knowledge anchors—defensive models optimized for retrieving and validating facts, documents and records.—
Ian Wilding,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
Journalist, broadcast anchor and author Jane Pauley will receive the 2025 Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism on Nov. 15.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Like a gift served to Big Tobacco, eliminating OSH would guarantee more profits at the cost of more addiction, disease and deaths.—
Shalini Singh,
Baltimore Sun,
5 July 2025
-
The criteria for diagnosing addiction are pretty much the same across different definitions.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Bottom of the list was Alaska, which scored poorly across all categories, and whose economy has been weighed down by its reliance on oil, CNBC said.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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This question is very important given China’s reliance on coal.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley who specializes in digital forensics, said government communication habits need to change.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
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After all, everyone has their own unique space, items, routines, and habits.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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