noun

dependence

dependence, reliance, addiction

The country's dependence on foreign oil is a problem.

The country's dependence on foreign oil is a problem.

He developed a dependence on painkillers.

He developed a dependence on painkillers.

((dependence)) on sth./sb. the state of needing sth./sb. for support drug dependence.

Synonyms: reliance, addiction, dependency; Antonyms: independence, self-reliance

From 'depend' + '-ence' (a state or quality). It means 'the state of depending'.

The suffix '-ence' often denotes a state or condition. So, 'dependence' is the state of depending on something or someone.

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