rely
[verb]
Synonyms: depend, bank, bet, count, trust

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

re‧ly S3 W2 AC /rɪˈlaɪ/ verb (past tense and past participle relied, present participle relying, third person singular relies)
[Word Family: noun: reliability, reliance; adjective: reliable ≠ unreliable, reliant; verb: rely; adverb: reliably]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: relier, from Latin religare 'to tie back']
rely on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb

1. to trust or depend on someone or something to do what you need or expect them to do ⇒ reliable, reliance:
I knew I could rely on David.
rely on somebody/something to do something
Many working women rely on relatives to help take care of their children.
rely on/upon somebody/something for
Many people now rely on the Internet for news.

2. to depend on something in order to continue to live or exist:
For its income, the company relies heavily on only a few contracts.
rely on/upon somebody/something for
They have to rely on the river for their water.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

rely
verb PHRASAL VERBS rely on/upon sb/sth
I. need sb/sth
ADV. heavily, a lot, strongly countries that rely heavily on food aid
entirely, exclusively, solely | increasingly | largely, mainly | traditionally
VERB + RELY be forced to, have to, must people who are forced to rely on public transport
tend to
PREP. for They relied entirely on these few weapons for their defence.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

rely
II. trust sb/sth
ADV. safely You can safely rely on his judgement.
simply Most historians simply rely on archives.
VERB + RELY can/could | can/could always | can/could no longer The party could no longer rely on its traditional supporters.
PREP. for I couldn't rely on John for information.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

rely
verb
BAD: I think it all relies on whether you like being on your own.
GOOD: I think it all depends on whether you like being on your own.
BAD: A country's strength relies on unity.
GOOD: A country's strength depends on unity.

Usage Note:
When you mean that one thing is decided or shaped by another thing, use depend on (NOT rely on ): 'The cost of the trip depends on how long you go for and where you stay.'
Compare: 'Since his wife died, he has had nobody that he could really depend/ rely on.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲