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
Moreover, Trump seems to have backed off from applying pressure on the Fed.
Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. dollar began strengthening and hit its highest level in more than two years, as measured by the U.S. dollar index.
—
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes structured information from TomTom and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
At the White House, press secretary Karoline Levitt said more than 40,000 federal workers have applied to leave in return for being paid until Sept. 30.
—Chris Megerian, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
But that policy, until now, only applied to migrants intercepted at sea who were undergoing interviews to be resettled in third countries like Canada and Australia.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apply 
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes structured information from TomTom and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
At the White House, press secretary Karoline Levitt said more than 40,000 federal workers have applied to leave in return for being paid until Sept. 30.
—Chris Megerian, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
But that policy, until now, only applied to migrants intercepted at sea who were undergoing interviews to be resettled in third countries like Canada and Australia.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 6 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 virus spreads through skin contact, not through bodily fluids, according to the University of Washington Medicine.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA TODAY,
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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Most are also fragrance-free and can be used daily, both morning and night.—
Devon Abelman,
Allure,
11 Feb. 2025
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There is also a similar and unrelated Death Clock app, which uses AI and scientific research to determine when users may die.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
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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Madrid’s struggles with their press were damning evidence that playing with all four of Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Bellingham in the team gives them little flexibility in terms of their shape when out of possession.—
Thom Harris,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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Escape to Baja Beach takes place at New Orleans’ bar The Frat House and gives visitors the chance to meet the Mountain Dude.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near apply
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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