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
The judge also ordered the parties to address whether and how the Supreme Court's recent ruling limiting universal injunctions should apply to her order.
—
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Consistency: Standards must apply equally across roles, teams, and time.
—David Ferrucci, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Tell us your inspiration for rescuing the ancestral tequila-making methods of the past.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
International distributors can apply for up to €50,000 ($57,380) per title for theatrical distribution of Italian films in their territories.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Consistency: Standards must apply equally across roles, teams, and time.
—David Ferrucci, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Tell us your inspiration for rescuing the ancestral tequila-making methods of the past.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
International distributors can apply for up to €50,000 ($57,380) per title for theatrical distribution of Italian films in their territories.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
-
In February 2024, the EU adopted the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, legislation that specifically targeted green and climate related claims.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Both Singhs, who are not related, were arrested Friday, prosecutors announced.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Officials say that deterrent is why cases of ineligible people casting ballots are incredibly rare — a fact that's become increasingly apparent as more and more states devote resources to uncovering the few people that slip through the cracks every election.—
Miles Parks,
NPR,
28 June 2025
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For instance, using scheduling tools or features to automate social media posts and email campaigns enables marketers to devote additional time to more important activities.—
Roman Vrublivskyi,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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With the draft beginning this coming Sunday and the trade deadline at the end of the month, A.J. Preller’s closest lieutenants are in San Diego rather than spread around the country looking at big-league and amateur players.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 July 2025
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Flemmings said neuroblastoma is a condition in which tumors spread to many other parts of the body.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The treatment had never been used on a species of raptor before, but Ammann took a leap and sent them an email.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
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When his young son Walter (Roman Griffin Davis) and Walter’s cat upend the performance with their unruly behavior, Charles’s wife, Catherine (Thurman), persuades Charles not to punish the kid but instead to use the opportunity to teach him about Jesus (Isaac).—
Chris DeVille,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
Verb
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The club exerted control over teams through possession and physical dominance.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
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This situation could exert pressure to secure additional funds, potentially diluting the existing shareholders or necessitating the company to incur debt.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Therefore, Woodard argues, her player contracts can’t be enforced against her.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 July 2025
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This is a fairly typical maneuver for NORAD jets enforcing temporary restrictions in the airspace around where the president is.—
Adeola Adeosun
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Verb
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One of the most perplexing and detrimental aesthetic choices implemented here pertains to the emblematic animals in Dora’s purview.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
5 July 2025
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This may seem a generous assessment—a prudent forecast would be crazy-high intoxication, at a minimum—but this pertains to the have-it-large contingent, which is relatively small.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Alex has given everything to the game and to the Golden Knights and has played through significant challenges in the pursuit of trying to win another Stanley Cup in Vegas.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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By contrast, people given placebo injections lost around 200 grams.—
Rachel Fieldhouse,
Scientific American,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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