1
as in relating
to have a relation or connection
does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devoting
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 spreading
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in using
to put into action or service
apply the laws of motion to this physics problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in exerting
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively
apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in enforcing
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 applying
Newton will be restricted from rejoining the department or even applying for private security license that is authorized by the Board of Police Commissioners.
—
Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
That includes explaining decisions clearly in open court, applying the law impartially, and upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The Rockies are applying these principles.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
Now new research published February 11 in PLOS One offers evidence that a Peruvian civilization thriving before the rise of the Inca Empire in the early 1400s was applying guano from those islands to its maize crops by at least 1250.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
The Mateo ruling was not the first time Broward broke new ground in applying the Stand Your Ground law to law enforcement officers.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
For many students, this fellowship is their first time applying for funding from the federal government.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026
Consider requesting or gathering this documentation now, then, before formally applying, to better expedite approval when a servicer inevitably asks for the paperwork supporting your case.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
That includes explaining decisions clearly in open court, applying the law impartially, and upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The Rockies are applying these principles.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
Now new research published February 11 in PLOS One offers evidence that a Peruvian civilization thriving before the rise of the Inca Empire in the early 1400s was applying guano from those islands to its maize crops by at least 1250.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
The Mateo ruling was not the first time Broward broke new ground in applying the Stand Your Ground law to law enforcement officers.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
For many students, this fellowship is their first time applying for funding from the federal government.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026
Consider requesting or gathering this documentation now, then, before formally applying, to better expedite approval when a servicer inevitably asks for the paperwork supporting your case.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying
Verb
-
The collision of opposing perspectives forges art that challenges and confronts, that forces us out of familiar ways of thinking, relating and being.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Feeling withdrawn from relating?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Firm research shows mom-and-pop investors are typically devoting only a small portion of their overall portfolios to these speculative plays, while keeping most of their money in more traditional investments.—
Yun Li,Kate Rooney,Alex Harring,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The state is devoting $50 million in federal grant funding this year to cancer screening, prevention and treatment.—
Virginia Barreda,
Des Moines Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Measles is now spreading in Florida, with 68 cases reported in the state already this year.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Be generous when spreading the chocolate frosting on this one.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The reversal follows a string of high-profile shootings involving federal immigration agents in which eyewitness statements and video evidence have called into question claims made to justify using deadly force.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Moreover, Lonesome Dove brings to bear a classical judgment of humanity as hostage to circumstance destiny, in the end, exerting its will with certainty, a grip that no man, however spirited, ever eludes.—
Miles Beller,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Part of the reason Trump is so keen on exerting greater control over the Fed is its power over the value of money.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The focus should be on enforcing existing laws, securing the border within constitutional limits, and using state resources where they are clearly authorized, while avoiding policies that create endless litigation and delay real results.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Drivers also risk being fined by TLC Police, who are actively enforcing against Empower trips.—
Naomi Ruchim,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Two bills pertaining to firing squad executions for death row inmates won’t advance further this session unless the authors propose them as amendments to other bills.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As Landfair details in the book for the first time, the years between 2002 – when Kelly was arrested on a 21-count indictment pertaining to child pornography charges – and his 2008 acquittal were spent under a fog, with Kelly keeping Landfair under his thumb even more than before.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This research marks the first time scientists have identified the specific amino acids — arginine and tyrosine — that act as molecular glue, giving spider silk its legendary properties.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
There are also giant granite boulders dotting the shore, giving it a decidedly remote, rugged feel.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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