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
Larimer County Conservation Corps Volunteers removed dead trees, invasive species and other fuels that could contribute to future wildfires, applying lessons learned from Larimer County's recovery efforts.
—
Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Of the schools that applied, four have a high proportion of students living at or below the poverty line.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
While Clay Long, chief of staff to Nampa’s mayor, told the Statesman in a December statement that the Festival of the Arts would be exempt from the city’s new restrictions on events in Lakeview Park, Bowman confirmed this week that the new rules now apply to the Festival of the Arts, as well.
—Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026
Video game casting will now be recognized as a membership qualification category by the Casting Society (CSA), allowing professionals in game casting to be eligible to apply for CSA membership.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Of the schools that applied, four have a high proportion of students living at or below the poverty line.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
While Clay Long, chief of staff to Nampa’s mayor, told the Statesman in a December statement that the Festival of the Arts would be exempt from the city’s new restrictions on events in Lakeview Park, Bowman confirmed this week that the new rules now apply to the Festival of the Arts, as well.
—Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026
Video game casting will now be recognized as a membership qualification category by the Casting Society (CSA), allowing professionals in game casting to be eligible to apply for CSA membership.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Some of those concerns related specifically to women’s rugby, while others related more broadly to QU’s treatment of female athletes and women’s athletic programs.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
5 June 2026
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Authorities haven’t said whether the fire and the burglary are related.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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By reducing fees, members of the SpaceX group hope to be able to devote more of their fortunes from the SpaceX IPO to philanthropy, the people said.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
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That meant last summer devoting resources to improving the Hurricane Harbor water park, which Lawrence says specifically attracts families and grandparents.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The pop-up was announced by only one social media post, but word spread.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
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Four bedrooms and five bathrooms are spread across roughly 6,200 square feet, where a floating glass staircase connects two switchback-style levels.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Tabbed nothing less than the golden generation, they were meant to grow a sport that long had roots but never could quite blossom, using the soil of their own country to do it.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
Verb
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At least until the physical world exerts itself on her show.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
8 June 2026
-
Trump has acted to exert influence over the central bank during his second term, raising concerns about its independence.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The Senate voted 94-6 to enforce the subpoena.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
The Senate voted 94 to 6 to enforce the subpoena.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Mickelson was one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour before his controversial move to LIV and comments about his Saudi backers, and his career survived some unsavory headlines, several of which pertained to gambling.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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While the Justice Department has released a slew of files, some have been pushed back, prompting Democrats to insist the department has not complied with a law passed by Congress last year requiring the release of all documents pertaining to Epstein.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Whitney Plantation hosts two permanent exhibits, one of which gives an overview about the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and another that focuses on the history of slavery in Louisiana.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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On June 3, police went to serve the warrants but the suspect did not follow commands given by police and barricaded himself inside a residence located in the area of Alum Rock Avenue and Dale Drive, authorities said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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