1
as in relating
to have a relation or connection
does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devoting
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 spreading
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in using
to put into action or service
apply the laws of motion to this physics problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in exerting
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively
apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in enforcing
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 applying
Gardeners should carefully read and follow label instructions and avoid applying treatments when pollinators are most active.
—
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Doncic’s agent Bill Duffy said in a statement to ESPN that Doncic planned on applying for such a challenge with the reasoning of his child’s birth.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Nearly 3,000 of the individuals applying were confirmed to be Canadian citizens as a result of the new law.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Families can start applying for the program on June 2.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Peppermint oil works as a natural wasp deterrent, and applying it is straightforward.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
That allows scammers to present themselves as you when applying for credit or contacting financial institutions.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Prior work has explored ultrasound sensing mainly on ground robots, but applying it to aerial robots has been difficult due to propeller noise and weak signals.
—Nitin Sanket, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
The hurt kid became the class clown, the super friendly boy who was content to pal around with his buddies and leave applying himself to everyone else.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Doncic’s agent Bill Duffy said in a statement to ESPN that Doncic planned on applying for such a challenge with the reasoning of his child’s birth.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Nearly 3,000 of the individuals applying were confirmed to be Canadian citizens as a result of the new law.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Families can start applying for the program on June 2.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Peppermint oil works as a natural wasp deterrent, and applying it is straightforward.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
That allows scammers to present themselves as you when applying for credit or contacting financial institutions.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Prior work has explored ultrasound sensing mainly on ground robots, but applying it to aerial robots has been difficult due to propeller noise and weak signals.
—Nitin Sanket, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
The hurt kid became the class clown, the super friendly boy who was content to pal around with his buddies and leave applying himself to everyone else.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying
Verb
-
The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In relating her story this way, Gisèle is restoring to the record her waking life.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nothing will ever undo the original sin, and devoting your life to ruining someone else’s is a loss for both of you.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Tony has fully jumped into our theatre program devoting himself to straight plays and musical theatre.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a single bus, preventing it from spreading to nearby vehicles.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Saturday — the peak day for Easter egg hunts — will see thunderstorms spreading from the southern Plains into the Ohio Valley.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Iran war is exerting further upward pressure on rates by stoking inflation concerns and driving up government bond yields, according to economists.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Much later, Russia found another means of exerting control over the Persian crown, loaning millions of rubles to its rulers, like Mozaffar ed-Din Shah, who reigned from 1896-1902 and needed capital to fund his lavish lifestyle.—
Daniel Thomas Potts,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His pro-working-class mantras focused on affordability and child and health care support funded by enforcing corporate tax code while closing loopholes exploited by billionaires registers politically to the left of Thompson, a moderate Democrat.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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Since 1968, the world nuclear order has rested on the delicate architecture of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, enforcing the international norm that countries without nuclear weapons won’t try to get them, and countries with nuclear weapons won’t help arm their allies.—
Chloe Shrager,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This raises wildfire worries but also concerns pertaining to water resources, particularly in the Colorado River Basin, which has been mired in drought for years on end.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The arrest is one of multiple recent run-ins with law enforcement pertaining to Peters’ activities in Florida.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One law created new oversight, requiring oil companies to open their books and giving regulators more visibility into refinery profits and operations.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Clever Mercury in your sign trines lucky Jupiter in your 5th House of Delight, giving your words a playful glow and encouraging authentic self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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