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 statute also applies to inheritance under a will, trust and certain other financial policies.
—
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The titular condition, which describes someone whose irises are fully or partially different colors, reportedly applies to Hevia Baillères.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
Mulch To maintain healthy strawberries, Montgomery places a sterile straw around the plants and then applies an additional layer of mulch on top.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Bobrovsky didn’t suddenly become a bad goalie after signing his mega-contract with Florida back in 2019, and the same applies to this season.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Honey scans all successful discount codes used on a specific website and automatically applies them at checkout.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
That waiver applies even when a treatment is unproven or off-label.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Antitrust law applies to college sports in two basic ways.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The same principle applies to societies and individuals.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2026
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The titular condition, which describes someone whose irises are fully or partially different colors, reportedly applies to Hevia Baillères.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
Mulch To maintain healthy strawberries, Montgomery places a sterile straw around the plants and then applies an additional layer of mulch on top.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Bobrovsky didn’t suddenly become a bad goalie after signing his mega-contract with Florida back in 2019, and the same applies to this season.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Honey scans all successful discount codes used on a specific website and automatically applies them at checkout.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
That waiver applies even when a treatment is unproven or off-label.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Antitrust law applies to college sports in two basic ways.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The same principle applies to societies and individuals.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applies
Verb
-
There’s a lovely little formula called the small-angle approximation that relates the two.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But the story Sorkin relates is really all about the insiders, their privileged lives, their thoughts and actions.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The show devotes significant time to the three consultants’ past hardships as well as their ongoing bond, and that’s crystallized in a moving segment about Alexander’s harrowing recovery after a devastating stroke in 2022.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The center console devotes an inordinate amount of space to side-by-side wireless phone chargers.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Whereas the initial narrowband signal might have a strong power across just a few frequencies, the smearing spreads that power across more frequencies, reducing the strength of the signal.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
War spreads in the Middle East, a coaching legend dies, and several incumbents face tough primaries.—
Melinda Yao,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Firstly, AccuWeb offers Linux and Windows dedicated hosting, while HostArmada uses Linux exclusively.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The company uses subcontractors at Camp East Montana, including security firm Akima Global Services and medical contractor Loyal Source.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Here, Beethoven exerts a compulsion for triumphant glory.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Alicia Silverstone, in her most enduring performance, plays Cher Horowitz, a popular high schooler who exerts her influence through matchmaking and giving a makeover to the new kid in town.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Joseph is like the city (Los Angeles, not Hollywood), and the city enforces confidentiality, drive, wit, style and devotion often mistaken for diva-ism.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The attorney general’s office is a sprawling state agency that represents the state in civil litigation, enforces child support laws and provides influential legal advice to state agencies.—
Philip Jankowski
Austin Bureau,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The process also requires the Senate parliamentarian to rule that the legislation pertains to the budget.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
My question pertains to my vehicle, 2015 Toyota 4Runner.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Live Nation’s access to Ticketmaster data gives it a lot of competitive advantages with projecting pricing, which could now include shows that are not its own.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Local original artwork from contemporary Mexican artists lines the walls, custom furniture gives the spaces a stylish touch, and there’s a library with an honor bar that overlooks the peaceful (and oh-so-green) Parque Lincoln.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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