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
Businesses from anywhere in the nation can apply, but selection priority is given to businesses within the Kansas City area, on both sides of the state line.
—
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
The immunity would not apply in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the dispatcher.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Price limits could also be applied to other commodities.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Regional restrictions may apply.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
The immunity would not apply in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the dispatcher.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Price limits could also be applied to other commodities.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Regional restrictions may apply.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Investigators did not say how the trio was related.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
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The decision, described as personal and health-related, ends a tenure marked by consistent postseason appearances and a steady hand in the dugout.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Most of these patients devoted hours every day to managing their condition.—
Carrie Arnold,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
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Just because the administration has no legal authority to designate a domestic terrorist organization, Aceves said that does not mean the administration won’t devote a great amount of resources toward it.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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These swells are expected to spread toward the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bahamas tonight and on Saturday.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The team used human stem cells to create three-dimensional, embryo-like structures that replicate early human development, including the formation of blood stem cells.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
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This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Not the first time There is also concern over the extent of influence the Trust seeks to exert over Tata Sons’ capital allocation decisions, according to Dalal.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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The United States has also known about the issue for some time, with negotiators in the Biden administration aware that some hostages were held by factions in Gaza over which Hamas does not exert full control.—
Ami Kaufman,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Juneteenth recognizes the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln had signed more than two years earlier.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
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After dissolving their own three-person police force, the village has struggled to find a way to enforce village laws, the mayor said.—
Erin Glynn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chatbots are known to validate users’ obsessions and delusions, and most of the litigation around this phenomenon has so far pertained to self-harm, as in the suits Jain has brought against OpenAI and Character Technologies.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
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People from across all walks of life are asked around 50 questions pertaining to the economy, personal finances, job prospects, inflation expectations and the like.—
Joanne Hsu,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The quick and portable system also gives investigators the ability to do DNA analysis anywhere without the need for a labratory.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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However, since the announcement, discourse around who should and shouldn’t be given wings exposed just how stuck in the past some viewers still are.—
Essence,
Essence,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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