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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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 apply In a flat-rate COLA, the percentage increase is calculated the same way, but it will only be applied to those in the 20th percentile. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 Note that balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro rate, and a balance transfer fee of 5% (min $5) applies. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 There’s plenty of ideas to apply to your real life in the issue ahead. — InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026 Apple later applied the same label for US users of Apple Maps, matching Google’s change, the Associated Press reported. — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply

Verb

Schot will assume responsibility for board and committee-related governance matters, including the coordination of the board’s committees, and the group’s corporate governance framework.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
Genetic studies show Denisovans and Neanderthals were closely related.

— Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of relate

Verb

Her reporting reveals stunning details about the high-level government officials who are devoting their time and influence to enable what is, essentially, a portfolio of home-renovation and vanity projects.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Gloria Steinem, a trailblazing journalist and activist who devoted her life to fighting for women's rights, died on Wednesday.

— Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of devote

Verb

The Elegante used a heavy retractable hardtop operated by an elaborate electro-hydraulic mechanism, with the entire operation taking roughly two minutes.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026
The Seahawks used that coverage on nearly 50% of its defensive snaps in the Super Bowl, the highest rate Maye saw all season.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Simply put, the SEC is furious that LSU has challenged the conference’s attempts to enforce its eligibility rules for athletes returning from professional sports.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Kalshi brought lawsuits against two states, Nevada and New Jersey, for threatening to enforce their own gambling laws against the company.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of enforce

Verb

The web portal will launch with a glossary of some 180 terms pertaining to AI designed to bring standardization to what has been an unruly moving target.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Those are some of the main items pertaining to working conditions that were codified in a memorandum of understanding between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association in June 2025.

— Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of pertain

Verb

Venice Film Festival has also given us plenty of major beauty moments—and Mary Beth Barone really brought it for her first turn on the lido.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
Lindsay Clancy jury says it's still deadlocked, judge gives 'dynamite instruction' Lindsay Clancy jury can't agree.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026