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
Also, run a dehumidifier to keep your basement or crawl space dry, and apply mold-resistant paints, materials, and cleaners to curb mold and mildew growth.
—
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
When applied to social networks and extremist forums, gamification turns engagement into competition and hate speech into a playful challenge.
—Arthur Coelho Bezerra, The Conversation, 14 May 2025
The liquid, applied with a brush, works best for full nail coverage, especially on larger nailbeds.
—Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 14 May 2025
Here's how to use and apply an ammonia and baking soda solution to remove tub rings:
Combine half a bucket of water with 1/4 cup of ammonia and 1/4 cup of baking soda.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
When applied to social networks and extremist forums, gamification turns engagement into competition and hate speech into a playful challenge.
—Arthur Coelho Bezerra, The Conversation, 14 May 2025
The liquid, applied with a brush, works best for full nail coverage, especially on larger nailbeds.
—Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 14 May 2025
Here's how to use and apply an ammonia and baking soda solution to remove tub rings:
Combine half a bucket of water with 1/4 cup of ammonia and 1/4 cup of baking soda.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Investigators suspected the two killings were related but ran out of leads and the cases went cold.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Arantxa devotes half her verse to saying her name, Dovima looks bored, Vulcano is an awkward, lumbering giant, and everyone looks like they’re dressed for a different universe.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
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Some 41 years later in 2024 and have devoted herself to a successful political career, adult Marlene strives to make meaningful societal change.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Research has consistently singled out the powerful role social media plays in fomenting and spreading antisemitism.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Miami walkathon to raise mental health awareness NAMI Miami-Dade is hoping to use Saturday’s upcoming walkathon during mental Health Awareness Month to help spread introduce people to free mental health resources the nonprofit providers.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Berry was 14 when a classmate used an AI app to attach a nude body to an Instagram photo of her face, before circulating it on social media.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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Educators will have canoes and kayaks, paddles and life jackets to use and will offer instruction.—
Flip Putthoff,
Arkansas Online,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Those opening few moves are a player’s one real chance to exert control before the chaos sets in.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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Culture-vulture Wintour exerts political power (tickets for the gala cost $75K per person, and tables for multiples started at $359,000, usually paid for by high-end fashion houses) to influence public perceptions of race, according to the academic-Marxist precepts of Barnard professor Miller.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The town code officer will enforce the ordinance, issuing fines of $100 for first violations, $200 for second ones, and $500 for third ones.—
Shawn P. Sullivan,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Accountability must be more than a principle—it must be enforced.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
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But those costs wouldn’t pertain to certain eligible students.—
Juan Ortega,
Sun Sentinel,
16 May 2025
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One of them pertained to McIlroy and his success at this track.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Verb
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What’s the Takeaway for People With Heart Failure? Experiencing issues with planning and thinking can be especially problematic for people with heart failure, given the complex self-care required to manage the condition.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
Health,
16 May 2025
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The search operation has included officers knocking on doors and requesting residents to give DNA samples to see if there are any relations to the babies.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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