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
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
The system either stops stylization when stress thresholds are reached or applies smaller refinements to protect weak areas.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
The 8-30g law applies to towns with less than 10% of its housing designated as affordable by state measurements.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
Regular museum admission applies for museum exhibits.
—Holly Andres, Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
The same applies to any cold-hardy crops, which include most members of the cabbage family, such as kale and broccoli.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
The provision applies only to qualifying cash tips.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
Plus, the floor only applies to C-corporations, which make up the smallest percentage of businesses, Gallegos noted.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Now, on the debut album under his new alias Musicentrydelete, Matt applies his obscurantist instincts to a kind of minimalist ambient techno, to dreamily—and woozily—psychedelic effect.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
The 8-30g law applies to towns with less than 10% of its housing designated as affordable by state measurements.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
Regular museum admission applies for museum exhibits.
—Holly Andres, Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
The same applies to any cold-hardy crops, which include most members of the cabbage family, such as kale and broccoli.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
The provision applies only to qualifying cash tips.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
Plus, the floor only applies to C-corporations, which make up the smallest percentage of businesses, Gallegos noted.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Now, on the debut album under his new alias Musicentrydelete, Matt applies his obscurantist instincts to a kind of minimalist ambient techno, to dreamily—and woozily—psychedelic effect.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applies
Verb
-
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
-
Meanwhile, the omniscient, just-the-facts-ma’am narration relates the days and times and events with an efficiency that speaks to us of the unstoppable nature of fate.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
So the book devotes an entire chapter to the topic.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
12 Jan. 2026
-
So prevalent is memorabilia fraud that the United States Postal Inspectors Service devotes an entire page on its website educating consumers how to protect themselves.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That's how informality spreads, and productivity dies.—
Ricardo Torres,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Measles symptoms can appear between seven and 21 days after exposure and may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike bipedal humanoids, the Onero H1 uses a wheeled base paired with articulated arms, prioritizing stability and dexterity over walking.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Utah is the first state to more formally test how well AI can assess medical situations through a partnership with health-tech startup Doctronic that uses AI to prescribe refills for patients with chronic conditions, Politico reported.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
My agonizing over a coin toss illustrates the basic distortion that gambling exerts on spectating.—
Rand Richards Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The team also uncovered how CISTR-ACT exerts its influence.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In Kansas City, the city’s health department enforces the food code, while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also stationed in Greenland.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The second innovation pertains to how the chips are powered.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
-
Also unclear is whether the disagreement pertains only to the ratio of subscriber to non-subscriber streams, or whether YouTube also disputes what Billboard counts as an on-demand stream.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That gives the car a one-to-one power-to-weight ratio, a figure usually reserved for modern hypercars.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Using music for change, a pair of winners gives children a voice through songwriting.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
