APPLIES Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

applies

verb

present tense third-person singular of apply

as in relates

to have a relation or connection does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

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Relevance

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

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as in spreads

to put a layer of on a surface apply the ointment liberally

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as in uses

to put into action or service apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

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as in exerts

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

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as in enforces

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 applies Sacramento consistently ranks among the most diverse cities in the country, and that applies across all stripes. —

Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026 Extra time only applies to the games in the round of 32, round of 16, the quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place match and the final. —

Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 11 June 2026 The same principle applies to a robot operating on the factory or warehouse floor. —

Lee-Lean Shu, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 This applies even if your insurance will cover part of the cost. —

Karon Warren, AJC.com, 11 June 2026 The same logic applies to pre-workout powders. —

Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 However, the new deduction limitation on top-earning individuals now applies to trusts and estates, according to a footnote in the Joint Committee on Taxation's recent tax explainer, better known as the Bluebook. —

Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 4 June 2026 The same applies in the case of doing research. —

Christian B. Miller, The Conversation, 4 June 2026 The $176 million damages penalty also applies to Grossman’s husband, Peter Grossman, a prominent plastic surgeon. —

Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for applies

Verb

But by then, Rockmount’s shirts were iconic, Weil relates in his third book about Western apparel and Rockmount.

— Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Silence = Death, the work of the Silence = Death Collective (and not ACT UP, as Avram Finkelstein relates in his interview) became the primary pictorial representation of ACT UP and a rallying slogan for the fight against the disease.

— Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 3 June 2026