application

noun

ˌa-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce application (audio)
Definition of applicationnext
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose fixing a snag in panty hose is not the intended application of nail polish, but it's a handy one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of application The Color Code version targets visible-light applications and stores high-density information. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 The developer already holds key studies the Recreation and Public Purposes application needs, and Clyde Capital will pay any additional costs, city officials said. — Noah Daly august 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2026 Plenty of building still belongs to specialists, including complex systems, security-sensitive applications, and anything going to customers without supervision. — Will Drover, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 The irony here is that Singer is returning to his profession while so many ensnared in his application shenanigans never fully got back to theirs. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for application
Recent Examples of Synonyms for application
  1. use
  2. usage
  3. exercise
  4. operation
Noun
  • Two people were arrested, but charges were dropped pending the outcome of the internal review after complaints about the use of force.
    — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Despite trust provisions, the court found the Kittrells were contingent beneficiaries due to their son's powers to benefit them and their continued personal use and control of trust assets.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of use
Noun
  • Inspect mirrors or lenses for damage, test the mount for smooth motion and ask about usage history.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This opacity leaves urban planners and residents without the necessary data to make informed choices about their community’s infrastructure, energy usage, and environmental future.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of usage
Noun
  • If several hours of television or scrolling through social media are taking the place of exercise, in-person social interactions, reading or other mentally stimulating activities, that’s not ideal for brain health.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Rivera showed strong power and artistry in her exercise, but struggled with endurance on her final tumbling pass.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Intel, the largest private employer in Oregon, also announced layoffs last month, impacting its data center operations and shrinking its workforce to 81,000 — down from more than 130,000 in 2022.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of operation

Browse Nearby Words

applicants
application
applications
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Application.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/application. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on application

Nglish: Translation of application for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All