dependence
noun
de·pen·dence di-ˈpen-dən(t)s 
variants or less commonly dependance
1
: the quality or state of being dependent
especially : the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another
2
: reliance, trust
3
: one that is relied on
4
a
: drug addiction
developed a dependence on painkillers
b
: habituation sense 2b
Synonyms
- dependency
- reliance
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The company was hurt by its dependence on government loans. Our dependence upon foreign oil makes our economy vulnerable. a harmful dependence on foreign oil
Recent Examples on the Web Apple has attempted to reduce its dependence on China in recent years by moving more factories and suppliers to places like India. 
Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 But oil revenues are still expected to decline over time as individual countries reduce their dependence on Russian energy. New York Times, 27 May 2022 The city is acting to ensure water deliveries and reduce dependence on the Colorado, officials said. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 Second, Europe must reduce its dependence on Russian gas, striking new deals with different suppliers and stepping up its renewable rollout. WIRED, 20 Aug. 2022 China’s main goal is to reduce its dependence on other countries for chips, especially as U.S.-China tensions rise. Dan Strumpf, WSJ, 24 July 2022 The tens of billions in subsidies to build chip plants on U.S. soil is unlikely to reduce its dependence on Asia, especially in the short-run, let alone transform it into a semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse. Yvonne Lau, Fortune, 24 July 2022 President Joe Biden is pouring billions into building an EV supply chain in the US to reduce dependence on China as geopolitical tensions between the two countries rise. Keith Naughton, Bloomberg.com, 21 July 2022 Eager to wean itself from Russian dependence, the European Union in May quadrupled its 2030 goal for green hydrogen usage to 20 million tonnes a year—half to be produced in Europe. Ian Mount, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 But oil revenues are still expected to decline over time as individual countries reduce their dependence on Russian energy. New York Times, 27 May 2022 The city is acting to ensure water deliveries and reduce dependence on the Colorado, officials said. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 Second, Europe must reduce its dependence on Russian gas, striking new deals with different suppliers and stepping up its renewable rollout. WIRED, 20 Aug. 2022 China’s main goal is to reduce its dependence on other countries for chips, especially as U.S.-China tensions rise. Dan Strumpf, WSJ, 24 July 2022 The tens of billions in subsidies to build chip plants on U.S. soil is unlikely to reduce its dependence on Asia, especially in the short-run, let alone transform it into a semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse. Yvonne Lau, Fortune, 24 July 2022 President Joe Biden is pouring billions into building an EV supply chain in the US to reduce dependence on China as geopolitical tensions between the two countries rise. Keith Naughton, Bloomberg.com, 21 July 2022 Eager to wean itself from Russian dependence, the European Union in May quadrupled its 2030 goal for green hydrogen usage to 20 million tonnes a year—half to be produced in Europe. Ian Mount, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing dependence
Kids Definition
dependence
noun
de·pen·dence di-ˈpen-dəns
1
: a condition of being influenced and caused by something else
2
: a state of having to rely on someone or something
dependence on charity
3
: trust entry 2 sense 1, reliance
4
: addiction to drugs or alcohol
Medical Definition
dependence
noun
de·pen·dence di-ˈpen-dən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of being dependent upon or unduly subject to the influence of another
2
a
: drug addiction
b
: habituation sense 2b
dependence
noun
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
Relevance
- dependency
- reliance
- reciprocity
- relativity
- trust
- confidence
- faith
- stock
- credence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- independency
- independence
- self-dependence
- autonomy
- self-sufficiency
- self-reliance
- sovereignty
- sovranty
- self-support
- self-determination
2
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state Synonyms & Similar Words
- anchor
- reliance
- pillar
- standby
- mainstay
- buttress
- right hand
- spine
- crutch
- backbone
- prop
- refuge
- anchorage
- handmaiden
- bolsterer
- sinew(s)
- stay
- handmaid
- harbor
3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery Synonyms & Similar Words
- addiction
- habit
- tolerance
- alcoholism
- monkey
- heroinism
- jones
- habituation
- morphinism
- full twist
- full vamp
- full verb
- full volley
- full well
- full whack
- full word
- full-blood
- full-blooded
- full-bloodedness
- full-bloods
- full-blown
- full-bodied
- full-bodied money
- full-boled
- full-bore
- full-bosomed
- full-bottomed
- full-bound
- full-cell process
- full-cell treatment
- full-court press
- full-cream
- full-crew law
- full-crown fender