re|ly

re|ly «rih LY», intransitive verb, -lied, -ly|ing.

to depend; trust: »

Rely on your own efforts. I relied upon your promise absolutely. The Assembly, which could not rely on the Armed Forces…was too weak to defy Algiers (Observer).

╂[< Old French relier < Latin religāre bind fast < re- back + ligāre to bind]

Synonym Study Rely, depend mean to have confidence in someone or something. Rely implies confidence that a person or thing will perform or be as one expects: »

This is a product you can rely on.

Depend implies confidence that a person or thing will give the help or support expected or needed: »

She depends on her friends to make her decisions.