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
Brown was held to 23 points on 21 field goal attempts in Denver, committing four turnovers against higher pickup points than Denver usually applies.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
There's also a longer intro APR period that applies to both purchases and balance transfers.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
None of that applies to brain-computer interfaces.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
The same applies to powdered sugar.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
Rael-Gálvez told me that the Native Bound Unbound team applies the same criteria when determining whether to label cases as instances of slavery.
—Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
That progesterone call-out, after all, applies not just to trans folks but those in menopause, too.
—Jesse Dorris, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
That applies to unincorporated areas, but OC cities including Dana Point and Garden Grove are pursuing their own prohibitions, per news reports.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
The equal time provision applies only to broadcast, not streaming or internet programs.
—Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
There's also a longer intro APR period that applies to both purchases and balance transfers.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
None of that applies to brain-computer interfaces.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
The same applies to powdered sugar.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
Rael-Gálvez told me that the Native Bound Unbound team applies the same criteria when determining whether to label cases as instances of slavery.
—Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
That progesterone call-out, after all, applies not just to trans folks but those in menopause, too.
—Jesse Dorris, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
That applies to unincorporated areas, but OC cities including Dana Point and Garden Grove are pursuing their own prohibitions, per news reports.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
The equal time provision applies only to broadcast, not streaming or internet programs.
—Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 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
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The center console devotes an inordinate amount of space to side-by-side wireless phone chargers.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Markets, policymakers and regional leaders are now watching closely to see how far the conflict spreads, and whether the power shift in Tehran alters Iran’s political trajectory or further entrenches its security-first stance.—
Garrett Downs,Greg Iacurci,Azhar Sukri,Spriha Srivastava,Emma Graham,Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2026
-
From an engineering perspective, this process can be conceptualized as a self-replicating firmware update that spreads through a network of nodes; however, the network in this case is a population, and the firmware update is a genomic modification.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This docudrama uses recordings of her actual voice blended with actors portraying the responders who desperately tried to save this child who was surrounded by the bodies of her relatives.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The play is directed by Rachel Jett and uses the recent version of the script crafted by playwright Sarah Ruhl from a literal translation by Elise Thoron.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 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
-
As each assignee struggles under the weight of conscience, coercion, and fear, the darkly satirical story examines who draws society’s moral lines, who enforces them, and what happens when they are crossed under extreme pressure.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
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Congress writes laws, but federal agencies like the EPA write the regulations that explain how the federal government interprets and enforces those laws.—
Sean Tucker,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 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
-
This low-power millimeter-wave radar sensor gives self-driving cars a clearer, more accurate view of traffic by feeding them essential data from the surrounding road.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
-
That clinical history gives companies like Gestala a foundation to build on.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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