applied 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈplīd How to pronounce applied (audio)
Definition of appliednext
as in applicable
capable of being put to use or account used some applied psychology to get the teenager to become more responsible

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applied

2 of 2

verb

past tense of apply
1
as in related
to have a relation or connection does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

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2
as in devoted
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

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3
as in spread
to put a layer of on a surface apply the ointment liberally

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in used
to put into action or service apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

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5
as in exerted
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

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6
as in enforced
to carry out effectively a police officer applying the law

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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 applied
Adjective
Clinic director Enedelia Sanner said Caravel provides applied behavior analysis, or ABA services, to help children build skills. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 The project is part of Habitat for Humanity's broader effort to expand affordable homeownership opportunities across the metro area while giving students hands-on experience in construction and applied math. — Justin Adams, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Verb
The potential harm to the environment is high, as any insecticides applied can kill pollinators and other beneficial insects in addition to the pest. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Hernandez is allowing 30 units to continue to operate as short-term rentals, but the company that applied in 2011 — Executive Corporate Rentals — is only operating six Airbnbs today. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for applied
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applied
  1. applicable
  2. related
  3. devoted
  4. spread
  5. used
  6. exerted
  7. enforced
  8. useful
Adjective
  • This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
    — August 16, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The couple is announced and shares a dance, followed by mother/son and father/daughter dances, when applicable.
    — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of applicable
Verb
  • The rate at which coronavirus tests are coming back positive is increasing, as are viral levels in wastewater and COVID-related hospitalizations.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Doing so checks the name for any active charges or warrants, including those that are immigration related.
    — Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of related
Verb
  • Cristobal, 55 now, has devoted his career, his life, really, to delivering the Hurricanes their long-elusive sixth national crown and first since 2001.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Robinson, who later served as governor of Kansas during the bloody conflicts leading up to the Civil War, devoted a chapter of his autobiography to the events of that day.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of devoted
Verb
  • Beyond seeking members' votes, campaigns and the party look to organized labor for help in spreading Democrats' message to voters and getting people to the polls.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And alumni are among the college’s best ambassadors for spreading that message, insists Emma Donatille, executive director of the WCC Foundation that has handed out nearly $440,000 in scholarships over the years.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of spread
Verb
  • According to the Financial Times, the Wall Street bank boss used the conversation to lobby the British government against creating a more hostile tax environment for banks.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But Roman says that in cross-examination, the defense used the same searches to highlight their argument that Clancy was overmedicated, failed by the medical system, and experiencing postpartum psychosis at the time.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of used
Verb
  • But atmospheric drag intensified by solar activity exerted its forces on the observatory.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa, the big three of the three hundred–plus ethnicities that made up the national character, exerted their outsized influence in the shattering wave of military coups that preceded and followed the brutal civil war.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of exerted
Verb
  • This is a big change for the company that has historically vigorously enforced its copyright and trademark rights.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Pete Katsis enforced that contract, for artists and fans, tens of thousands of times.
    — Jeff Rabhan, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of enforced
Adjective
  • Leave room for edits, and let useful surprises show you the smarter way forward.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The technology could be particularly useful for critical minerals because deposits can be difficult to identify from surface observations alone.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of useful

Browse Nearby Words

applicative
applied
applied (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Applied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applied. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of applied for Spanish Speakers

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