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
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
The same simplicity of agreement applies to the couple’s vehicles.
—
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
But through four games, the Ravens haven’t stopped the run or applied any semblance of pressure on a quarterback.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
On days 7 and 9, apply ¼ cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Trump has also previously threatened funding for New York City in order to apply political pressure on Democratic leaders and influence New York politics.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
But through four games, the Ravens haven’t stopped the run or applied any semblance of pressure on a quarterback.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
On days 7 and 9, apply ¼ cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Trump has also previously threatened funding for New York City in order to apply political pressure on Democratic leaders and influence New York politics.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
-
Petrino, the man responsible for the changes, could relate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Internet users can’t get enough of Mason’s refusal to engage with the other pups at day care, as many fellow introverts could relate.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Late in The Gales of November, Bacon — who’s written books on leadership and college football, among other topics — devotes two chapters to Lightfoot’s epic ballad.—
John U. Bacon,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Michaels is devoting about 25% of space in its stores to this new venture while also launching a party concept.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement That has helped save tens of millions of lives, contributed to a reduction by half of mortality rates of children under five, put developing countries on a better economic trajectory, and substantially reduced the chances that infectious diseases emerge and spread.—
Dr. Seth Berkley,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Opera has used the Neon name before for a concept browser back in 2017.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Others, however, believed that Johnson used his access as leverage in dealing with Bukele.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
German defense minister Boris Pistorius said Thursday that Russian satellites were shadowing German satellites, raising alarm at the prospect that Moscow is looking to space to exert its military force.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
It was filed as the White House has taken steps to exert influence in unprecedented ways on the department, blurring the line between law and politics at an agency where independence in prosecutorial decision-making is a foundational principle.—
Eric Tucker,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Department of Transportation (DOT) pledged to enforce existing laws.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
With the envelope rule enforced, the match was scratched and the scoreboard adjusted to 12–5.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
New laws covering topics including new protections for lottery winners and a change to the state’s laws pertaining cousins marrying are set to take effect in Connecticut starting on October 1, 2025.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale in Jefferson County, not houses that were sold.—
USA TODAY Network,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
How does a century-old industrial company such as Firmenich (renamed DSM-Firmenich following its 2023 merger with Dutch chemical firm DSM) manage to remain globally competitive today, given that a large share of its cost base is in the most expensive country in the world?—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to give 60 days’ notice ahead of mass layoffs.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share