1
2
as in to devote
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 to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to use
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 to enforce
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 apply
The menswear resale service will apply to the same regions.
—
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
As currently proposed, the permit system would only apply to boaters planning to fish the Lower Blue River, while nonfishing crafts or those wading to fish would not need a permit.
—Ryan Spencer, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
In an 82-page brief filed shortly after midnight at the 3rd District Court of Appeal, Artiles’ attorneys argued, in part, that a state law about limits on campaign contributions was unconstitutionally vague as applied in the case.
—Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Boyers said after observing violations at a club, TABC will issue a notice and then apply a penalty based on a penalty chart.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
As currently proposed, the permit system would only apply to boaters planning to fish the Lower Blue River, while nonfishing crafts or those wading to fish would not need a permit.
—Ryan Spencer, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
In an 82-page brief filed shortly after midnight at the 3rd District Court of Appeal, Artiles’ attorneys argued, in part, that a state law about limits on campaign contributions was unconstitutionally vague as applied in the case.
—Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Boyers said after observing violations at a club, TABC will issue a notice and then apply a penalty based on a penalty chart.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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The veteran forward related the transition to his own early years, when the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder) moved him from a frontcourt scorer to a perimeter creator.—
Grant Afseth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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No, the two American actresses are not related.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Even with other democratic countries, Biden and his team devoted little attention to expanding free trade agreements and fueled economic tensions with allies, especially South Korea and Japan.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Even at places that had multiple televisions, the bar staff and managers were not willing to devote one of the TVs to a women's game.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The organization's dogs don't just support New Yorkers on marathon day; New York Therapy Animals' fluffy volunteers spread smiles across the city's hospitals, healthcare facilities, day centers, and assisted living facilities.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Looking ahead, Westenberger said Carter’s may actually benefit from increasing costs in the year ahead, as the impact of tariffs is spread across the industry.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers, with baseball's biggest payroll, have used their financial ability to pluck some of the most sought-after and most expensive free agents on the market.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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According to the new study, certain forms of iron oxyhydroxide nanominerals can catalyze the degradation of organophosphate esters (OPEs), chemical additives used in plastics as flame retardants and softeners.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In recent months, Rodenbush said, school administrators were pressuring him to exert control over what gets published in each semester's seven print editions and remove traditional news coverage, according to IndyStar reporting and the complaint.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
30 Oct. 2025
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The tastemaker brings to light a particularly poignant anecdote to illustrate the fact that her style decisions in the White House were nothing if not calculated — in many cases exerting a certain degree of soft power.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The president’s comments come after his administration expanded a federal program that deputizes local police to enforce immigration laws, signing up nearly 16,000 officers across 40 states as part of an effort to boost deportations, according to data reviewed by Bloomberg News.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Referees could enforce wearing pants but typically don’t, since there doesn’t seem to be pressure from coaches or the NCAA to do so.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Before the settlement, legal observers’ predicted that the suit would be dismissed due to industry norms pertaining to interview editing.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
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Other details in the filing presumably pertain to the overdose death of Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie member Chris Stein.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hamida gives Kammo food, material necessities, and, perhaps most critically, affection.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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Lastly, clear every last bit of residue out by giving the disposal a final rinse.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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