1
as in relates
to have a relation or connection
does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devotes
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
Sam applied himself to writing thank-you letters to everyone who'd helped sponsor him for the charity walk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spreads
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uses
to put into action or service
apply the laws of motion to this physics problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in enforces
to carry out effectively
a police officer applying the law
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of applies
The bill only applies to social media platforms with $1 billion or more in annual advertising revenue, a pool that includes other social media giants such as YouTube and TikTok but may not capture other popular platforms like Discord, which is widely used by gamers.
—
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The overtime deduction applies to compensation covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Smith, the Baylor Scott & White spokeswoman, said the hospital determines financial assistance eligibility when a patient applies for it.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Federal law provides the strongest and most consistent protections, establishing a floor of exemptions that applies nationwide.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The State Department now applies the policy to 50 countries, including 30 African nations, 9 Asian countries, 5 from North America (including the Caribbean and Central America), 5 from Oceania, and 1 from South America.
—Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The same logic applies to investments.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The 100% tariff applies to brand-name drugs that still have a patent, not generics.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The iconic Redbird — a name that applies to a paint scheme that’s adorned multiple classes of subway cars — began as an anti-graffiti effort in 1984.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The overtime deduction applies to compensation covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Smith, the Baylor Scott & White spokeswoman, said the hospital determines financial assistance eligibility when a patient applies for it.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Federal law provides the strongest and most consistent protections, establishing a floor of exemptions that applies nationwide.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The State Department now applies the policy to 50 countries, including 30 African nations, 9 Asian countries, 5 from North America (including the Caribbean and Central America), 5 from Oceania, and 1 from South America.
—Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The same logic applies to investments.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The 100% tariff applies to brand-name drugs that still have a patent, not generics.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The iconic Redbird — a name that applies to a paint scheme that’s adorned multiple classes of subway cars — began as an anti-graffiti effort in 1984.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applies
Verb
-
Considered narrowly, statesmanship relates primarily to politics and government.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a lovely little formula called the small-angle approximation that relates the two.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Illinois devotes significant resources to recruiting overseas to bring in their large international contingent — including Croatian twin centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić and freshman forward David Mirković.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
McGrath devotes a whole chapter to lunch.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, the striking shrub spreads by roots and seeds, overtaking native plants.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The disease spreads through coughing or sneezing with respiratory droplets containing bacteria.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Renpho MorphoScan Nova Body Composition Scale uses dual-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to calculate the precise makeup of your body during your weigh-in.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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But cookbook author Joshua McFadden’s Spring Carbonara, which uses a ton of fresh spring peas, is absolutely delightful.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their shapes often distort as one galaxy exerts tidal forces on the other.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Here, Beethoven exerts a compulsion for triumphant glory.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Kansas City and Independence, each city’s health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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On Sunday, police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church, citing security concerns as Israel enforces a ban on gatherings in synagogues, churches and mosques during the ongoing war with Iran, which has brought missile strikes near holy sites.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Minnesota's lawsuit pertains to a bulk of the money stuck in deferral.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Family care pertains to children as well as helping aging parents.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This kit gives you the tools to protect yourself and your loved ones — especially vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Those are two key factors courts weigh in issuing TROs, after which a judge gives a fuller consideration as the legal process plays out.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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