APPLY Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

apply

verb

ə-ˈplī

Definition of apply

as in to relate

to have a relation or connection does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to spread

to put a layer of on a surface apply the ointment liberally

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as in to use

to put into action or service apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

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as in to exert

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

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as in to enforce

to carry out effectively a police officer applying the law

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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 apply Rhinestones were applied to skinny jeans, distressed jeans with moto details and carpenter shorts. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 July 2026 For decades, some museums interpreted the law as applying to human bones but not necessarily hair, despite protests from Native groups. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026 In order to fortify their reputation and show potential clients just how legitimate the business’ offerings were, the team quickly applied and received official accreditations. — William Jones, USA Today, 8 July 2026 The only categories where that doesn’t apply are Comedy Series and Drama Series, which must both fill out a roster of eight nominees apiece. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for apply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply

Verb

Investigators said there was no evidence that the shootings were related.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Even tracks that might have lived elsewhere find their place once a world begins to form around them—a palette of emotional colors that don’t need to match, only to relate.

— Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of relate

Verb

The real Nafisi is a beloved literary figure, a professor who has devoted the bulk of her life to evangelizing about the transcendence of Western literature in places where its liberal, humanist messages are much needed.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
The commission is the only federal agency devoted solely to election administration.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of devote

Verb

When the Wright brothers first flew, the doubt was never about whether the machine worked, but whether flight would ever be something ordinary people used without a second thought.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
In the Tahoe Basin, the Caldor fire restoration plan outlines roughly 3,600 acres where the Forest Service could use ground crews to apply herbicide directly to shrubs — no aerial spraying.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Beijing has exerted greater institutional control in Tibet since Xi Jinping became the country's president in 2012.

— Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Avard grew concerned that the Chinese bottled water company Nongfu Spring, which purchased a more than 375,000 square-foot industrial property in Nashua in 2025, would begin to exert influence over the local political process.

— Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026

Definition of exert

Verb

Europe is committed to enforcing its legislation that holds platforms accountable for addictive design features, said Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the commission overseeing tech.

— Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Europe is committed to enforcing its legislation that holds platforms accountable for addictive design features, said Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice-president at the commission overseeing tech.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026

Definition of enforce

Verb

Bill Clinton issues rules that require that medical providers obtain the consent of patients before releasing medical information pertaining to those patients.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026
The investigation pertained to incidents that occurred in February.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of pertain

Verb

Because of that, the resolution called on the Legislature to give counties more oversight.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
The most fascinating quarter-final tie for me, given that Switzerland denied us an all-South American affair between Argentina and Colombia.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026