Synonyms of apply

apply

verb

ə-ˈplī 

1

as in to relate

to have a relation or connection

does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relate
• pertain
• refer
• affect
• involve
• bear
• touch
• appertain
• connect
• have to do with
• concern
• treat
• interest
• deal (with)
• link
• associate
• couple
• interrelate
• tie in

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

• devote
• give
• commit
• address
• get cracking
• bend
• buckle
• reapply
• work
• get with it
• spend
• turn one's hand
• set (to)
• get one's act together
• settle (down)
• engage
• involve
• exert
• wear out
• readdress
• busy
• carry on
• tax
• put out
• concern
• knuckle down
• pitch in
• plunge (in)
• trouble
• exhaust
• stress
• plow
• plug (away)
• grind
• peg (away)
• hustle
• strain
• hump
• plod

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• play
• fool around
• idle
• trifle
• dawdle
• fiddle (around)
• putter (around)
• mess around
• monkey (around)
• potter (around)
• dally
• dillydally

3

as in to spread

to put a layer of on a surface

apply the ointment liberally

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spread
• lay
• smear
• sheet
• lay on
• coat
• layer
• plaster
• dab
• anoint
• slather
• daub
• cover
• bedaub
• surface
• overlay
• carpet
• besmear
• blanket
• overlie
• overspread
• mantle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• uncover
• strip
• peel
• bare

4

as in to use

to put into action or service

apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• utilize
• exploit
• employ
• operate
• harness
• exercise
• draw on
• make use of
• handle
• wield
• manipulate
• bring to bear
• work
• direct
• run
• reuse
• recycle
• cannibalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• misuse
• misapply

5

as in to exert

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively

apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exert
• use
• wield
• employ
• utilize
• exercise
• ply
• put out
• misapply
• misuse
• abuse

6

as in to enforce

to carry out effectively

a police officer applying the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enforce
• implement
• execute
• administer
• fulfill
• effect
• render
• enact
• invoke
• bring about
• cite
• effectuate
• observe
• prosecute
• honor
• legislate
• uphold
• discharge
• promulgate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of apply

For higher earners, however, the 25% cap often applies, meaning a substantial portion of your take-home pay could be withheld if the debt collection process progresses to this stage. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

Hamadeh's two accounts raise questions about how to apply the Supreme Court's test. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 19 Mar. 2026

The pattern in their tragedies is always the same — a leader, swollen with success, decides the rules no longer apply to him. —Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026

Some exclusions apply, but that’s a pretty sweet deal. —Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 19 Mar. 2026