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 sources of divergence are rooted in the somewhat similar but subjective methodologies applied by each organization.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the North Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the CA Weather Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 19 Feb. 2025
That order, however, did not apply to agencies Congress set up to be independent of the White House.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apply 
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the North Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the CA Weather Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 19 Feb. 2025
That order, however, did not apply to agencies Congress set up to be independent of the White House.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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During the sketch, Thompson called out the fact that Darius and Murphy's Morgan, who wore a shimmery red jacket and a comically large gold medallion, seemed like they might be related.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Artist’s Muse and Sonic Healer: Alice Coltrane, a jazz virtuoso who devoted much of her life to a spiritual journey, is a beacon for today’s artists.—
Vidhya Nagarajan,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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While fallen comrades like Norm Macdonald are feted throughout the night, the In Memoriam is devoted instead to sketches that have aged horribly.—
Joe Berkowitz,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, contends that the new policy is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services and other valuable church programs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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Another winter storm is slated to bring heavy snow and ice to the Central Plains later Tuesday, and spread into the Midwest and Great Lakes Wednesday.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Over the past few months, Mace has filed a bill seeking to ban transgender women from using women's bathrooms at the U.S. Capitol.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But in Schmitt’s hands, what could have been a straightforward takedown of conservative philanthropic activism is instead a personal meditation on control and the ways that institutions and systems exert control over our beliefs, lives and bodies.—
Shannon L. Bowen,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
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Post-wildfire landslides can exert great loads on objects in their paths, strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures and endanger human life, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.—
Max Golembo,
ABC News,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There's also bipartisan pressure to enforce nonprofit hospitals' responsibility to provide charity care in exchange for their no-tax status, and to more closely examine a drug-purchasing program that many such facilities can take advantage of to get steep discounts on pharmaceuticals.—
Maya Goldman,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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The board will approve the release of grants to support local law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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All agencies are supposed to use these definitions in interpreting laws and in documents and must get rid of all language pertaining to gender identity.—
Joseph Lawler,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
10 Feb. 2025
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Much is at stake with the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which champions tough new rules pertaining to immigration.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Helena Kennedy, chair of the panel of legal experts on media freedom and director of the International Bar Assn.’s Human Rights Institute, will give a keynote address on the topic of media accessibility as a human right.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
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As classic ambush predators, this gives them cover to hide in and hunt from.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
20 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near apply
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
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