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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in enforces
to carry out effectively a police officer applying the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 To test whether this applies to quantum objects too, the scientists needed to carry out the same experiment on a quantum object. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 The same principle applies to optical fiber sensing, just with much greater sensitivity. — Pawel Maniewski, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 The new opinion only applies proactively, not to past enrollments in TANF and SSI. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 The fee applies during the first 13 years of the agreement and gradually declines over the remaining initial term. — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026 The commercial professional then applies experience and judgment. — Rahul Saluja, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The current version of the film and TV tax incentive program applies to postproduction, but only if 75% of filming or the overall budget is spent in the state. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning that applies to more than 1 million people in San Diego County, mostly across inland valleys, foothills and mountains where high temperatures will approach or exceed 95 to 114 degrees. — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 The moratorium only applies to unincorporated parts of Yadkin County. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applies
  1. relates
  2. devotes
  3. spreads
  4. uses
  5. exerts
  6. enforces
  7. pertains
  8. gives
Verb
  • Each and every item relates in some way to the novel’s storyline, yet miraculously, many of the objects were sourced before the book was even written.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Holland’s Spider-Man relates more personally to everyone — friends and foes — than any other superhero; his scenes with the Punisher (Jon Bernthal), Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Det.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of relates
Verb
  • As Washington devotes more of the budget to servicing debt, Congress leaves less money for education, infrastructure, medical research, national defense and future economic emergencies.
    — Carolyn Bourdeaux, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Bertolli, once a chef at a number of legendary San Francisco Bay Area restaurants before debuting his salumi company, Fra’ Mani, devotes 14 pages to his fondness for true balsamic vinegar and 12 ways to think about cooking with tomatoes.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of devotes
Verb
  • Transportation Security Administration officers screen those while the flyer spreads their arms out mannequin-style inside a body scanner.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt seeking to build closer ties with the key US ally as instability spreads across the Gulf.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of spreads
Verb
  • Pieces must be shaped, dried, fired, glazed, fired again and tested; Przenioslo uses a community kiln and gives herself at least two months to prepare a collection.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Vita uses textiles, performance and video to speak about internet culture, along with stunning visuals that incorporate their family’s Middle Eastern diaspora and history.
    — Shelley Holcomb, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • Hydrostatic pressure – the force water naturally exerts against the body – may also help reduce mild swelling in the legs and support healthy circulation during exercise.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Simply put, when one object exerts a force on another, the second one exerts an equal and opposite force in return.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of exerts
Verb
  • Executive leadership must distinguish between structure that creates operational clarity and structure that merely enforces control.
    — Natalie Grabher, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Thai officials emphasize the visit is strictly rest and resupply, as the Navy enforces a blockade on Iranian ports and Washington offers little clarity on ending the six-month conflict.
    — Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of enforces
Verb
  • There is no similar law that pertains to private school operators in Wisconsin.
    — Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Aug. 2026
  • That pertains with or without the presence of breast milk, the TSA specifies.
    — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of pertains
Verb
  • The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet flats, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The deal gives the United States 55% effective output of the new private company, including an ownership stake and rights to buy oil at cost.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of gives

Browse Nearby Words

appliers
applies
applies (for)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All