apply

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verb

Definition of APPLY

1

to have a relation or connection <does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?>

Synonyms appertain, bear, pertain, refer, relate

Related Words affect, concern, interest, involve, touch; associate, connect, couple, interrelate, link, tie in; deal (with), treat

Phrases have to do with

2

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 address, bend, buckle, devote, give

Related Words readdress, reapply; knuckle down, set (to), settle (down); busy, commit, concern, engage, involve; exert, exhaust, put out, spend, strain, stress, tax, trouble, wear out; carry on, pitch in, plunge (in); grind, hump, hustle, peg (away), plod, plow, plug (away), work

Phrases get cracking, get one's act together, get with it, turn one's hand (or turn a hand)

Near Antonyms dally, dawdle, dillydally, fiddle (around), fool around, idle, mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

3

to put a layer of on a surface <apply the ointment liberally>

Synonyms apply, lay, lay on

Related Words anoint, bedaub, besmear, dab, daub, plaster, slather, smear; blanket, carpet, coat, cover, layer, mantle, overlay, overlie, overspread, sheet, surface

Near Antonyms bare, expose, peel, strip, uncover

4

to put into action or service <apply the laws of motion to this physics problem>

Synonyms apply, employ, exercise, exploit, harness, operate, utilize

Related Words handle, manipulate, wield; direct, run, work; cannibalize, recycle, reuse

Near Antonyms ignore, neglect; misapply, misuse

5

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively <apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding>

Synonyms apply, exercise, ply, put out, wield

Related Words employ, use, utilize; abuse, misapply, misuse

6

to carry out effectively <a police officer applying the law>

Synonyms administer, apply, execute, implement

Related Words bring about, effect, effectuate; discharge, fulfill (or fulfil), render; cite, invoke; enact, legislate; honor, observe, uphold; prosecute; promulgate

Near Antonyms disregard, ignore, neglect