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
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
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
-
This post relates the salient elements to the less salient, and in so doing addresses the salience imbalance by emphasizing the less salient.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Despite the elegiac tone, Jill also devotes much of the book to the social side of being first lady.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
4 June 2026
-
The malware devotes considerable attention to CI/CD (continuous integration/continuous delivery) systems, which allow for faster and more reliable software releases by automating the building, testing, and deploying of code changes.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Garlic mustard often spreads when people remove it from their yards and place it in compost piles.—
Breana Pitts,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
And that confusion spreads across the organization, from the sales and marketing teams who aren’t sure how to communicate these changes, to the human resources teams who aren’t sure what type of talent to hire.—
David Farinella,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
But someone willing to engage with Heather is Lisa, who uses this as an opening to talk about how Heather hurt her at Valter’s.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Some medications can quietly affect how your body absorbs or uses specific nutrients.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At least until the physical world exerts itself on her show.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
8 June 2026
-
One is a compass-like mechanism, whereby the Earth exerts a pull on magnetic particles in a bird’s upper beak that relays directional information via a large nerve in the cranium.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Indonesia enforces some of the toughest anti-pornography laws in the region.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
-
The committee expects Workforce Pell’s actual costs could be significantly higher, around $6 billion or more, depending on take-up rates, how states and institutions implement the new program, and how the Department of Education interprets and enforces accountability measures.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This story pertains only to women.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
The recall pertains to some 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Despite the disagreement, Rigler said the ruling gives Cascadia supporters renewed confidence as legal challenges continue.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
What gives me optimism is that so many people still want to direct their immense talents and energies toward research.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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