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
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Recent Examples of dependence
The changes mark a fresh push to boost revenues and diversify one of the continent’s largest economies away from its historic dependence on oil exports.
—
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The Missouri facility will function as a central hub for these efforts, combining USSM’s existing refining capabilities with IonicRE’s separation technology to reduce dependence on foreign mineral imports.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026
Although inflation has since eased, deep structural weaknesses — massive debt, crumbling infrastructure and near-total dependence on oil — remain firmly embedded.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Domestic demand is stabilizing — but not yet expanding enough to substitute for old growth drivers or reduce dependence on exports.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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People who only drink for fun are not likely to develop a dependency, Knowles said.—
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Many Latin American nations are wary of trading one dependency for another.—
Noun
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The report warned copper’s reliance on a handful of countries makes global supplies and prices vulnerable to disruptions, policy shocks, and trade barriers.—
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The reliance on Erling Haaland has become pronounced, and Semenyo will offer a direct threat from either wing, improving City on the counter-attack.—
Noun
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Chief among them is small-screen addiction to platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.—
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As a group, Native Americans face high rates of poverty, chronic disease, and mental illness — all are risk factors for addiction.—
Noun
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Sales tax cannibalization Typically, STAR bond districts only capture and divert sales tax revenue generated by anchor developments and other establishments in their immediate vicinity to pay off the debt associated with construction.—
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When restyling surfaces, Saab suggests sticking to a single anchor piece as an antidote to the excess of the holidays.—
Noun
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In energy, Siemens is working with Commonwealth Fusion Systems to support the development of commercial fusion machines using design software and a unified data backbone.—
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Padrino López Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, long considered the backbone of Maduro’s survival, remains a critical figure as well.—
Noun
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The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is surrounded by white sandstone domes, towering monoliths, and otherworldly pillars and arches.—
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As prosecutor general, Saab has been a key legal pillar of Nicolás Maduro’s government, overseeing cases against opposition leaders, protesters, journalists and civil society activists.—
Noun
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Dempsey assaulted another police officer with a metal crutch, cracking his protective shield and cutting his head.—
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And for every student who wants to use AI as a crutch or shortcut, there are other students who are concerned about using it responsibly, even sparingly.—
Noun
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White shoes had a big year in 2025, surpassing their role as a summer mainstay and becoming a year-round shoe staple for celebrities who wore them on and off the red carpet.—
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In the mix are Fox mainstay Gordon Ramsay, popular YouTube baker Rosanna Pansino, as well as the British duo known as Jolly, Sorted Food, Food Theorists, and Little Remy Food.—
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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