1
2
as in to devote
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 to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to use
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 to enforce
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 apply
From there, a wash of color on the eyes—either shade Poncho or Nude Dress from the 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette—was applied.
—
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 14 May 2026
Note, though, that this automatic protection applies only to direct deposits of your Social Security benefits.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Batavia MainStreet Assistant Director Kristen Desler said more than 125 vendors applied to be part of this year’s market.
—David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Though the yuan is harder to trade than the pound—China has a number of capital controls—the same logic, more or less, should apply to China today.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 14 May 2026
Note, though, that this automatic protection applies only to direct deposits of your Social Security benefits.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Batavia MainStreet Assistant Director Kristen Desler said more than 125 vendors applied to be part of this year’s market.
—David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Though the yuan is harder to trade than the pound—China has a number of capital controls—the same logic, more or less, should apply to China today.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Montebello Police Chief Luis Lopez believes the incident was domestic violence-related, according to statements obtained by both KTLA and ABC 7.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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Some of these are really foreign policy related, where the president and President Xi both agreed that the goal on the Korean peninsula remains denuclearization.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Because teams are deciding whether to devote millions of dollars and precious roster spots to occasionally unreliable males in their early twenties, much of a scout’s work is akin to investigative reporting.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The show devotes a lot of screen time to the fallout from a particular revelation and the subsequent efforts to smoke out the mole.—
Kate Lavelle,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The Islamic Center of San Diego's director and imam, Taha Hassane, pleaded with the public to spread tolerance and love instead of hate.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
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The staffers, who are spread across more than twenty front- and back-end departments, are organizing under the name Seattle Art Museum Workers United (SAMWU) under the auspices of the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
18 May 2026
Verb
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While Marner avoided an abysmal 2025-26 season, the Leafs are expected to use the first-overall pick in the upcoming draft on Penn State star Gavin McKenna, the kind of player who should be able to help right the ship in a hurry.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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Drake addresses Kendrick Lamar feud with fiery tracks The Grammy-winning rapper also used his latest musical project to reignite his feud with fellow emcee Kendrick Lamar.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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We were warned by President and Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower, along with United States Marine Major General Smedley Butler about the virulently toxic, corruptive and destabilizing influences exerted upon our government by the military industrial complex.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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Industry groups, meanwhile, are quashing proposals for higher taxes or stricter regulation by exerting pressure on lawmakers and cozying up to power players in the worlds of philanthropy, medicine, and science.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
12 May 2026
Verb
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How geography shapes South Pacific eco-tourism The yield model works in the South Pacific partly because geography enforces it.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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The loss of life has sparked a public service campaign to enforce laws mandating self-closing doors in apartment buildings, and reminders to tenants to close doors to keep fires from spreading.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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In addition, this legislation could provide leaders with protection on state laws pertaining to NIL, which has led to lawsuits and a plethora of disagreements.—
Trey Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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Furthermore, events preceding or following 04/09/2026 and/or pertaining to individual persons affiliated/associated to the companies were not included in the analysis.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Simple and streamlined, this linen tank top is one of the most versatile additions to any travel wardrobe—I’m even eyeing it in a few different colors, given its affordable price tag.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
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Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie gave him Washington’s name.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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