Rely upon Meaning in English

expression

US

ɹiˈɫaɪ/, /ɹɪˈɫaɪ/ /əˈpɑn

ri-LY uh-PON

UK

ɹɪlˈaɪ/ /əpˈɒn

ri-LY uh-PON

Definition

To trust or depend on someone or something for help, support, or what you need.

Usage & Nuances

'Rely upon' is formal or literary; 'rely on' is more common in everyday English. Both mean to trust or depend on someone or something. Used with people, systems, or objects. Avoid confusing with 'rely' alone, which requires 'on' or 'upon' after.

• Spanish: confiar en - depender de
• Portuguese (BR): confiar em - depender de
• Portuguese (PT): confiar em - depender de
• Chinese (Simplified): 依靠 - 依賴
• Chinese (Traditional): 依靠 - 依賴
• Hindi: निर्भर करना - भरोसा करना
• Arabic: يعتمد على - يثق بـ
• Bengali: ভরসা করা - নির্ভর করা
• Russian: полагаться на - рассчитывать на
• Japanese: 頼る
• Vietnamese: dựa vào - trông cậy vào
• Korean: 의지하다 - 믿다
• Turkish: güvenmek - bel bağlamak
• Urdu: بھروسہ کرنا - انحصار کرنا
• Indonesian: mengandalkan - bergantung pada

Example Sentences

You can rely upon your friends when you need help.

basic

Many people rely upon public transportation every day.

basic

Children rely upon their parents for support.

basic

I wouldn't rely upon him to finish that project on time.

natural

Sometimes you have to rely upon your instincts.

natural

Can we really rely upon the weather forecast these days?

natural