Find Synonyms

dependent Synonyms

Another word for dependent

Choosing another word for dependent depends on context, so the 12 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 5 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• adjective (Context 1)

Relying on someone or something else for financial, material, or emotional support.

Usage Example

"Many local businesses are heavily reliant on seasonal tourism to survive."

Strongest
reliant
Strong
beholden

• adjective (Context 2)

Determined, influenced, or conditioned by another factor or event.

Usage Example

"The success of the agricultural harvest is largely contingent on adequate rainfall in the spring."

Strongest
contingent
conditional
Strong
subject

• noun (Context 3)

A person, especially a child or spouse, who relies on another individual as a primary source of income and financial support.

Usage Example

"When filing her annual tax return, she claimed her two young children as dependents."

Strongest
dependant
Strong
ward
charge

• adjective (Context 4)

Unable to do without a particular substance or activity; addicted.

Usage Example

"After taking the prescribed medication for several months, the patient became physically addicted on it."

Strongest
addicted
Strong
hooked
habituated

• adjective (Context 5)

In grammar, relating to a subordinate clause or word that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Usage Example

"A subordinate clause must be connected to an independent clause to form a grammatically complete thought."

Strongest
subordinate

Opposites of dependent

The opposite of dependent shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

independent
self-sufficient
self-reliant
provider
self-supporting
unconditional
breadwinner
supporter
See all opposites of dependent

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Dependent. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/dependent
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