頼り|たよりtayori[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounreliance; dependence
   私は何なんも頼たよりにするものがない。↗

   I have nothing to fall back on.

• SynonymあてNeutralColloquial word for something to count on or an expectation, as in 「当てにならない」; close in meaning to 「頼り」, so not a true antonym.
• Synonym信頼しんらいNeutralWritten/formal prose for trust in someone's character or ability, as in 「信頼関係」; 「頼り」 is the person or thing you depend on.
• Synonym依存いぞんNeutralWritten/formal prose for dependence, often with a negative shade, as in 「スマホ依存」.
• Synonym頼みたのみNeutralLeans toward requests and hopes you pin on someone, as in 「頼みがある」 and 「頼みの綱」, a last resort; 「頼り」 is the support itself.
• Synonym心頼みこころだのみWrittenWritten/formal prose for hopes quietly kept in one's heart; it names inward reliance, not the person or thing 「頼り」 points to.
• Related信用しんようNeutralLeans toward trustworthiness or credit, as in 「信用できる人」; it is about being believable, while 「頼り」 is what you lean on.
• Related従属じゅうぞくNeutralWritten/formal prose for subordination, as in 「従属関係」; it stresses a lower, dependent status rather than the support 「頼り」 gives.
• Related拠り所よりどころNeutralNeutral word for an emotional anchor or basis, as in 「心の拠り所」; 「頼り」 covers any person or thing you depend on.

Use 「頼り」 for a person or thing you can rely on, as in 「頼りになる」 and 「地図を頼りに」. For trust say 「信頼」, for a last resort 「頼みの綱」, for an emotional anchor 「拠り所」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 頼たのみとなる物ものや人ひと。
2. 縁故えんこ。つて。