dependencenoun [ S or U ]
US also dependance uk/dɪˈpen.dəns/us/dɪˈpen.dəns/also dependencyC2 the situation in which you need something or someone all the time, especially in order to continue existing or operating:
The company needs to reduce its dependence on just one particular product.
Drug dependence led to her early death.
She has developed a deep dependence on him (= she needs him emotionally).
More examples
- The region's complete dependence on tourism is rather worrying.
- All her life she had a childlike dependence on the people around her.
- Gradually her dependence on alcohol became obvious to everyone.
- After living alone for so long, she found the baby's dependence on her quite difficult to cope with.
- He had to learn that dependence on others is not a sign of weakness.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Addiction
- -aholic
- addicted
- alcoholism
- be a slave to sth idiom
- chemical dependency
- compulsive
- cure
- cure sb of sth
- detoxification
- dipsomania
- dipsomaniac
- drunk
- drunkard
- dry out
- habit-forming
- kick
- pledge
- the DTs
- wean sb off sth
- withdrawal symptoms
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Essential or necessary