Be inclined to rely on others (4)
I believe the answer is:
lean
'be inclined' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lean that I've seen before include "Spare - incline" , "Be inclined - not fat" , "The fatless part of the meat" , "Slope; thin" , "Incline; (of person) thin" .)