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
After the initial shock, some employees scramble to update their résumés and start applying immediately, while others stay put, hoping the worst is over.
—
Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Parnell declined to answer several questions about how the standard would be applied, including whether posts unrelated to Kirk but referencing other acts of political violence would prompt a review.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
Attach a magnetic pad inside the palette and apply small magnetic pads to the backs of the makeup tins.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
The team was applying the methodology developed for our first project—the ISIS Prisons Museum.
—Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Parnell declined to answer several questions about how the standard would be applied, including whether posts unrelated to Kirk but referencing other acts of political violence would prompt a review.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
Attach a magnetic pad inside the palette and apply small magnetic pads to the backs of the makeup tins.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
The team was applying the methodology developed for our first project—the ISIS Prisons Museum.
—Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Decisions about which exemptions are made—as well as what related direct funding and tax incentives the government deploys—should be tethered to intensive monitoring of exposure to Chinese influence throughout the supply chain.—
Joel Thayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Once siloed domains with separate toolsets, these areas are now understood to be related.—
Bruce Kelley,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Budd, a Democrat representing House District 103 in south Mecklenburg County, outlined a four-part plan during a news conference Monday that would devote more resources toward law enforcement, courts and state health care infrastructure.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
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Courtney has devoted her career to fighting for individuals in high-stakes disputes against financial institutions, achieving landmark victories.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More interestingly, the staff begins to spread its wings when granted opportunities to report.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Blending ancient Vedic verses and Indian classical traditions with vibrant instrumentation and choral arrangements, Soul Ecstasy is part of Tandon’s mission of spreading joy through both economic and emotional empowerment.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Photonic quantum computing is a quantum computation approach that uses photons—particles of light—as qubits.—
Gil Press,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Zoryve has a unique active ingredient—roflumilast, an enzyme inhibitor that’s being used for the first time in a topical medication.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The creature that possessed the unfortunate Ensign Gamble finds a way back from its permanent transporter buffer exile, and is able to exert a malign influence on a whole new generation of followers.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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These videos have reignited calls for tech giants to exert more control over how content appears on their platforms as some companies have scaled back their moderation efforts.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In September, a federal judge prevented Utah from enforcing them.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
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In Kansas City, the city’s health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Across the eastern Baltic states (an area pertaining to modern-day Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), there are even more examples of broken tools in Stone Age burials.—
Sarah Durn,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
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The list pertains to jerseys officially licensed by the NFL Players Association.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since applicants go through the renewal process every two years, immigration experts say that those with active status have already been screened by the government and given protection from deportation.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
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The app gives owners the option to connect with the owners of their canine's relative, to exchange information about their pets or schedule a playdate.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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