Rely

To rely means to depend on someone or something with trust or confidence. It signifies placing trust in the reliability, capability, or truthfulness of a person, object, or system. This dependence can be for support, assistance, information, or the fulfillment of a need. It suggests a belief that the subject will act in a predictable and expected manner, providing the necessary outcome. The strength of the reliance can vary from a minor dependence to a critical and necessary component of a situation or relationship. Furthermore, relying implies a degree of vulnerability, as the outcome is at least partially contingent on the subject of the reliance. It also implies an expectation of consistency and a degree of stability in the object or person relied upon.

Rely meaning with examples

• After weeks of meticulous preparation, the success of the project would rely heavily on the final presentation. The team trusted their research and analysis, hoping the data would validate their assumptions. They needed all the information to be dependable. If the data was unreliable, they could not win the contract. They all knew the project would be a failure if they couldn't rely on the data.
• As a freelancer, Sarah had to rely on her self-discipline to meet deadlines and manage her workload. She depended on her own organizational skills. Procrastination would lead to missed deadlines and lost clients. Sarah knew she could not fail. She believed she would succeed with her drive and skills. Self-motivation was critical; she knew she could rely on her own determination.
• The small village relied on the well for its water supply. If the well dried up, the community would suffer tremendously. The villagers had faith in its consistency. The well, as a constant source of water, was vital for their survival. They looked for the consistent performance of the pump and knew their future depended on the ability to rely on the well.
• The detective had to rely on the witness's testimony to build their case. They had confidence in the witness's honesty. The witness's account became the core of their investigation. If the witness was lying, the investigation would fail. The detective believed they could depend on the witness's memory and knowledge of the events to get a conviction.