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
The difference in taxation applied to sports betting providers and prediction market providers has created a tax wedge that benefits prediction markets.
—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
For instance, a 2023 Massachusetts law applies a 4% tax to people earning over $1 million a year, while Washington state implemented a new tax on income over that amount earlier this year.
—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Notably, businesses in 18th & Vine either didn’t apply or get approval, but one Northland bar was given the green light.
—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
The company has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch a demonstration space mirror into orbit later this year.
—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
For instance, a 2023 Massachusetts law applies a 4% tax to people earning over $1 million a year, while Washington state implemented a new tax on income over that amount earlier this year.
—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Notably, businesses in 18th & Vine either didn’t apply or get approval, but one Northland bar was given the green light.
—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
The company has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch a demonstration space mirror into orbit later this year.
—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Fable 5 included guardrails that prevented the AI system from assisting with a wide range of cybersecurity- and biology-related tasks.
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Unlike genetic or age related decline, this cause is entirely preventable at any age.
Verb
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Historians have devoted enormous attention to the collapse of the royal courts, the creation of state judiciaries, the drafting of new constitutions, and the construction of the legal institutions of the new republic.
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The North Dakota library, located near the national park gateway town of Medora, devotes a number of exhibits to Roosevelt’s commitment to protecting America’s vanishing wildlands and wild animals.
Verb
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Flames raced through rows of vehicles at a Rancho Cordova salvage yard Friday evening, engulfing between 50 and 100 vehicles before more than 70 firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from spreading to neighboring businesses.
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If using grounds, apply in 1 to 2-inch deep layers and make sure the coffee is spread in an unbroken line so slugs and snails won’t cross it.
Verb
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Alysa Guffey Currently, data centers use industrial zoning and ask for exemptions to use the site for data centers.
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In court documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting free speech and initiating an unlawful seizure while using excessive force.
Verb
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That pushed back on foreign assertions that China lacks the ability to exert its authority over the waters, the account said in a post.
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El Niño shifts global weather patterns A naturally occurring climate cycle, El Niño is already exerting effects along the equator, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, during his June 17 WeatherWest podcast.
Verb
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Some disappointed fans lingered near the barricades and boundaries police had set up and were enforcing.
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The measure applied to local, state and federal law enforcement officers, but Thursday’s injunction blocked Philadelphia from enforcing it against federal officers.
Verb
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Starting next month, the law will prohibit the sale of any food product that isn’t labeled with either phrase — this pertains to products manufactured on or after July 1, 2026.
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Evidence pertaining to the Fire Department’s response was not permitted at the trial.
Verb
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When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.
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Officials advise the public to give bears space and not let pets bother them.
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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