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 majority of interns admitted go on to apply to MBZUAI’s graduate programs after working on projects in health care, language processing, and robotics.
—
Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Simone Talma Flowers, executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, said this includes applying for grants and looking to move staff members to other programs.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or party.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Heat can cause their frames and lenses to weaken and warp, and degrade any coatings applied to your lenses.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Simone Talma Flowers, executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, said this includes applying for grants and looking to move staff members to other programs.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or party.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Heat can cause their frames and lenses to weaken and warp, and degrade any coatings applied to your lenses.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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As of July 23, Paytas has not addressed the theory relating her youngest child, Aquaman, to Osbourne.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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Williamson County had six cases in May that were all related.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Jane comes from a background of poverty and has stayed in their hometown for the past 20 years, devoting herself to caregiving.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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With this work, the tenacious journalist and advocate for the Everglades devoted her life to preserving the unique, sprawling ecosystem now protected by federal law.—
Jay Reddick,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Since then, King has created over 150 renderings spread across 10 posts that show the Queen City from new angles.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
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The Pan American Health Organization issued an epidemic warning as the worst yellow fever outbreak in decades spread across South America.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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The department uses a Rural Mail Carrier Survey to track Ohio’s rabbit population, which involves distributing survey cards to all postmasters across the state, who then give the cards to the carriers delivering mail on rural routes.—
Emma Wozniak,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
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Blue Ghost Mission 2, scheduled for 2026, will also use Firefly’s Elytra Dark transfer vehicle and Blue Ghost lunar lander.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Since dark energy’s discovery a quarter-century ago, scientists have assumed its influence to be constant, its force exerted the same way 5 billion years ago, today, and forever; a sort of steady foot on the gas pedal.—
Sarah Scoles,
JSTOR Daily,
31 July 2025
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While some forecasts, like The Financial Forecasts Center, suggest yields may decline to around 3.27% by February 2026, the persistent issuance of Treasuries could exert upward pressure if demand weakens further.—
Dan Irvine,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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However, unlike its brethren, sotol lacks the backing of international trade agreements to enforce that D.O. across borders.—
Andy Vasoyan,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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The lawsuit says that the court has the authority under the Labor Management Relations Act to enforce its decision and enter a judgment against Jones for $460,949 plus $9,888 interest, totaling $470,837.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
30 July 2025
Verb
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In Ortiz’s case, gambling regulators flagged suspicious bets pertaining to whether specific pitches would be balls or strikes.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
28 July 2025
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Earlier this week, a federal judge in Florida denied the Trump administration’s request to unseal transcripts from grand jury investigations pertaining to Epstein.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Samsung has given Harman access to a wide array of technologies beyond traditional audio, including instrument panels and driver monitoring.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
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His cameo in Rocky III gave wrestling mainstream attention, along with his cartoon called Hulk Hogan’s Rock 'n’ Wrestling, which was broadcast on Saturday mornings in the mid-1980s.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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