1
as in relates
to have a relation or connection
does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devotes
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 spreads
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uses
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 enforces
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 applies
The Slim Denim The same principle applies to slim denim which, in a classic blue wash, is a more polished take on your typical pair of skinny jeans.
—
Christina Holevas, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
This advice applies to almost all evergreen shrubs like hollies, boxwoods, and myrtles.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
The same simplicity of agreement applies to the couple’s vehicles.
—Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Pendular – Carlos Ballesteros – Co-Founder & CEO Startup that applies AI to generate real-time statistics, analysis and visualizations for sports events.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
The exemption applies to permanent residences and not to businesses.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
But that only applies to a single cat (or two or three), not a growing colony.
—Rebecca Van Laer
september 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
This risk applies to pills, patches, implants, vaginal rings and injections.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Christina Holevas, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
This advice applies to almost all evergreen shrubs like hollies, boxwoods, and myrtles.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
The same simplicity of agreement applies to the couple’s vehicles.
—Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Pendular – Carlos Ballesteros – Co-Founder & CEO Startup that applies AI to generate real-time statistics, analysis and visualizations for sports events.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
The exemption applies to permanent residences and not to businesses.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
But that only applies to a single cat (or two or three), not a growing colony.
—Rebecca Van Laer
september 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
This risk applies to pills, patches, implants, vaginal rings and injections.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applies
Verb
-
But, as the book relates, his love of Black music from his home town and elsewhere pulled him through.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Swift’s involvement in the legal battle relates, in part, to suggestions from Lively that Baldoni altered a rooftop scene at the beginning of the film.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The piece followed the guidelines of the city's Public Art for Neighborhoods Program, which devotes 1% of the value of its incentives to public art.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The raw sewage rises to the surface, adding to the unbearable stink, which spreads and worsens with every passing day.—
Eli Sharabi,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Big Red love spreads all across the Lone Star State, but there’s no city that embraces this sweet and slightly peculiar soda quite like San Antonio.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
More than 95,000 customers agree on its power, and our commerce director Rachel Fletcher uses it on the regular to clean up pet messes.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In place of pesky underwire — which is uncomfortable at best, and downright painful at its worst — the bra uses a sturdy elastic band and adjustable straps to provide comfortable support.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers have also pointed out that friction stir welding exerts tremendous force (up to 5,000 pounds) and something needs to capture that force.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
-
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force that your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries and veins is higher than normal.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The idea came from his frequent collaborator, director Christopher Nolan, who enforces a similar policy with his productions.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Consumers can also look for a fiduciary financial advisor with organizations such as the CFP Board, the organization that enforces the standards for certified financial planners, and NAPFA, a professional organization of fee-only, fiduciary advisors.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The operation, in accordance with EU regulations on concentration, pertains mainly to the design, production and distribution of luxury goods.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Trump’s order pertains only to applicable law — and no one statute targeting domestic terrorism exists.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The wide-leg silhouette gives you lots of room to move with ease.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Herro was an All-Star last year while Ball wasn’t; Herro’s injury gives the Hornets a slight edge in these rankings.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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