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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of apply
The same simplicity of agreement applies to the couple’s vehicles.
—
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
But through four games, the Ravens haven’t stopped the run or applied any semblance of pressure on a quarterback.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
On days 7 and 9, apply ¼ cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Trump has also previously threatened funding for New York City in order to apply political pressure on Democratic leaders and influence New York politics.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
But through four games, the Ravens haven’t stopped the run or applied any semblance of pressure on a quarterback.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
On days 7 and 9, apply ¼ cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Trump has also previously threatened funding for New York City in order to apply political pressure on Democratic leaders and influence New York politics.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Petrino, the man responsible for the changes, could relate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Sep. 2025
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Internet users can’t get enough of Mason’s refusal to engage with the other pups at day care, as many fellow introverts could relate.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Late in The Gales of November, Bacon — who’s written books on leadership and college football, among other topics — devotes two chapters to Lightfoot’s epic ballad.—
John U. Bacon,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
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Michaels is devoting about 25% of space in its stores to this new venture while also launching a party concept.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Twenty years later, Iraq War veteran Aaron Hughes continues spreading his realization that soldiers can better champion American ideals by following their conscience over orders.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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About 25% of female breast cancer cases were found at the regional stage, meaning the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, tissues, or organs, and 6% were found at a distant stage, meaning the cancer had spread to distant parts of the body, CDC data shows.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Opera has used the Neon name before for a concept browser back in 2017.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
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Others, however, believed that Johnson used his access as leverage in dealing with Bukele.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Within the machines, heated up to 275 degrees, a balloon will exert up to 100 pounds of pressure; this combination of extreme heat and force will force the crown into its permanent shape in less than a minute.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
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Large-cap cult momentum names Tesla and Palantir exerted pressure on the S & P 500, even as micro-caps fly , quantum-computing lottery tickets surge , crypto presses to former highs , and Robinhood shares add 2% today, 22% this month and almost 300% year to date.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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About 55% of Americans say the federal government should enforce the separation of church and state, according to a Pew Research Center survey.—
Jessie Balmert,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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Under a pending agreement with ICE, the Guard's role enforcing immigration laws could expand to providing additional military personnel to be trained by ICE and deputized into assisting with policing immigration.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The case had a historic impact on issues pertaining to racial divisions and domestic violence in American culture.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The report comes after additional rules from the UK’s Online Safety Act pertaining to child safety went into effect in late July.—
Ana Nicolaci da Costa,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How does a century-old industrial company such as Firmenich (renamed DSM-Firmenich following its 2023 merger with Dutch chemical firm DSM) manage to remain globally competitive today, given that a large share of its cost base is in the most expensive country in the world?—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to give 60 days’ notice ahead of mass layoffs.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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