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
Borrowers should always first apply for a conventional mortgage.
—
Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Christensen holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico, a master of science in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a doctorate in theoretical and applied mechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Lively’s team has argued that her original administrative complaint was filed with the California Department of Civil Rights, and that therefore the California law does apply.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 7 May 2026
This case has national stakes Since FDA's prescribing rules for medications apply to the whole country, a change to the rules about how mifepristone can be accessed has national impact.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Christensen holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico, a master of science in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a doctorate in theoretical and applied mechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Lively’s team has argued that her original administrative complaint was filed with the California Department of Civil Rights, and that therefore the California law does apply.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 7 May 2026
This case has national stakes Since FDA's prescribing rules for medications apply to the whole country, a change to the rules about how mifepristone can be accessed has national impact.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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The spatial distance and how closely the mushrooms are genetically related also seem to be factors.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
-
Last year, out of 111 fatalities across the state, 102 were speed-related.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The situation stems from the commendable liberal impulse to devote extensive resources to public education.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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News outlets devoted round-the-clock coverage to Jackson, and MTV dedicated its programming almost exclusively to the musician.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hantavirus is suspected of spreading aboard a luxury cruise ship, killing three passengers and sparking new concerns as a once obscure disease, with an extraordinarily high death rate, rises amid changing climate conditions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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In rare cases, hantavirus infections can be spread between people, WHO said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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First, locate the radiant to the left of the waning moon using a handy smartphone stargazing app.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
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For Love in the Time of Cholera, 1989, for instance, Pau uses early Picture-in-Picture (PiP) technology to frame clips from Zuni’s 1988 October/Decameron stage performance, which then float, rotate, and cascade across the screen.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Hormone shifts, of course, can exert some influence on mood.—
Andréa Becker,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
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The price of goods like gasoline suggest we are not headed in the correct direction, our legislative branch lacks real leadership and fails to exert itself as the safeguard it is meant to be on the executive branch.—
Kevin Fixler
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The Miami-Dade Police Department was the initial agency that enforced the program, but it was replaced by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office in January 2025.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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If Congress didn't enforce the law then, why should Americans have confidence that it will be enforced now?—
NBC news,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The gala’s funds support acquisitions of garments and accessories, but also the institute’s reference library, which holds over 800 periodicals and 1,500 designer files pertaining to the history of fashion and clothing, dating back to the sixteenth century.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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This is especially true when pertaining to your sense of security and self-worth.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The casting has always managed to feel diverse, but in a guileless, incidental way, giving the appearance of multicultural inclusion without espousing any explicitly progressive viewpoints.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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Inning-ending calls have been overturned, giving hitters another opportunity that, in some cases, has led to game-changing home runs.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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