Synonyms of applies

applies

verb

present tense third-person singular of apply

1

as in relates

to have a relation or connection

does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relates
• pertains
• refers
• affects
• involves
• has to do with
• appertains
• connects
• touches
• bears
• concerns
• interests
• links
• couples
• associates
• interrelates
• deals (with)
• treats
• ties in

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

• devotes
• gives
• addresses
• commits
• works
• bends
• reapplies
• buckles
• gets cracking
• spends
• gets with it
• involves
• sets (to)
• engages
• turns one's hand
• gets one's act together
• exerts
• settles (down)
• knuckles down
• readdresses
• busies
• concerns
• wears out
• exhausts
• stresses
• taxes
• troubles
• plunges (in)
• pitches in
• puts out
• plugs (away)
• carries on
• plows
• pegs (away)
• hustles
• grinds
• plods
• humps
• strains

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plays
• idles
• dawdles
• putters (around)
• dallies
• fools around
• fiddles (around)
• monkeys (around)
• trifles
• messes around
• potters (around)
• dillydallies

3

as in spreads

to put a layer of on a surface

apply the ointment liberally

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spreads
• lays
• smears
• sheets
• coats
• lays on
• anoints
• covers
• plasters
• dabs
• layers
• slathers
• overlies
• surfaces
• bedaubs
• besmears
• overlays
• carpets
• blankets
• daubs
• overspreads
• mantles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exposes
• uncovers
• strips
• peels
• bares

4

as in uses

to put into action or service

apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uses
• utilizes
• employs
• operates
• exploits
• harnesses
• exercises
• draws on
• wields
• handles
• makes use of
• manipulates
• brings to bear
• works
• directs
• recycles
• runs
• reuses
• cannibalizes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• neglects
• misapplies
• misuses

5

as in exerts

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively

apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exerts
• uses
• wields
• employs
• utilizes
• exercises
• plies
• puts out
• misapplies
• abuses
• misuses

6

as in enforces

to carry out effectively

a police officer applying the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enforces
• implements
• executes
• administers
• fulfills
• invokes
• renders
• cites
• enacts
• effects
• brings about
• effectuates
• observes
• upholds
• prosecutes
• legislates
• honors
• discharges
• promulgates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• neglects
• disregards

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of applies

The same concern applies to optical surfaces, such as eyeglasses and camera lenses. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

The temporary pause applies to data centers requiring 50 megawatts or more of power while the state develops a new regulatory framework. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 15 July 2026

The message applies both in the locker room and on the field. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

That applies to today’s risks, like deepfakes, and tomorrow’s, like the ability of forthcoming models to find cybersecurity flaws in the world’s software. — Billy Perrigo, Time, 14 July 2026

The same lesson applies to the clean and mindful nutrition that the Loves try to model for their children. — Genevieve Uzamere, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

This article was generated by the CA Earthquake Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

The planning commission applies the law during its approval process. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

The certifying practitioner applies clinical judgment to the statutory standard, and the strength of the certification comes down to the quality of the factual basis behind it. — James Lange, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026