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
Under that ordinance, productions were required to apply in advance and pay a fee for a shooting permit.
—
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The same dynamic will apply to robots.
—Grace Brown, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
More than 42,000 students applied for Texas’ new education savings account program on the first day of the application period, the Texas Comptroller’s Office announced Thursday.
—Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit argued that law has been applied inconsistently.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The same dynamic will apply to robots.
—Grace Brown, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
More than 42,000 students applied for Texas’ new education savings account program on the first day of the application period, the Texas Comptroller’s Office announced Thursday.
—Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit argued that law has been applied inconsistently.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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They’re related, sure, but key differences exist based on the inventory and distribution.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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The driver and the child’s family are not related, police said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To many in the industry, hip-hop was still a passing fad, and labels devoted far more resources to white acts.—
Andy Greene,
VIBE.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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Anderson also devoted much of his speech to remembering his first-assistant director Adam Somner, who died from thyroid cancer in November 2024.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Misinformation and conspiracy theories about the public health system also spread during the pandemic, and longtime anti-vaccine activist groups saw a swell in interest from the wider public.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program and over Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Discoverability, most people just use algorithms to find music nowadays.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The supermassive black holes at the heart of galaxies, even when seemingly dormant, exert a powerful, quiet influence.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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And yet the drugs still manage to exert their influence in there.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The filing argues that custody is a nonwaivable jurisdictional requirement and that remote court proceedings would raise insurmountable problems, including the inability to verify identities, enforce perjury laws, or protect classified information.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
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Policy turned into abandonment, enforced through violence.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Delays and cancellations in plane travel were also caused by air traffic control issues, which won't happen this time around since the shutdown won't pertain to the Transportation Department.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Social media users weren't quick to forget Brooklyn's past allegations, and asked Cruz a few pointed questions pertaining to his brother.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Ishii said the council is focused on filling the five Police Accountability Board vacancies and finding Aguilar’s replacement, finalizing the board’s regulations, giving both oversight entities the necessary tools to succeed and restoring belief in the oversight process.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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McVay said the team would give the players time to digest the season and decide what might be next.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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