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
Companies would be able to apply to join through the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
—
Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The data set is a refinement of Snap’s Panda-70M—developers applied different video-filtering, segmenting, and caption-generating strategies.
—The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
The deal brings, from day one, a roster of IPs in active development with top-tier creative talent, along with several initiatives in the field of innovation applied to the film and TV sector.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
What is the correct way to apply mascara?
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The data set is a refinement of Snap’s Panda-70M—developers applied different video-filtering, segmenting, and caption-generating strategies.
—The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
The deal brings, from day one, a roster of IPs in active development with top-tier creative talent, along with several initiatives in the field of innovation applied to the film and TV sector.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
What is the correct way to apply mascara?
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Second quarter 2025 billings registered a 3% quarter-over-quarter expansion supported by the leading-edge logic, advanced high bandwidth memory (HBM) related DRAM applications, as well as increase in shipments to Asia.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Schauffele's decision wasn't injury-related.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated, based on 2023 data, that older adults devote a higher share of spending than the general population to groceries, housing, utilities and health care.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Police departments, including Crockett’s local Dallas Police Department, often devote resources to crime prevention.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More interestingly, the staff begins to spread its wings when granted opportunities to report.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Blending ancient Vedic verses and Indian classical traditions with vibrant instrumentation and choral arrangements, Soul Ecstasy is part of Tandon’s mission of spreading joy through both economic and emotional empowerment.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Russian media reports suggested that Putin stopped using the residence from 2024 amid intensifying Ukrainian drone attacks.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Wash dirty hands before using a touchscreen or laptop keyboard.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The creature that possessed the unfortunate Ensign Gamble finds a way back from its permanent transporter buffer exile, and is able to exert a malign influence on a whole new generation of followers.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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These videos have reignited calls for tech giants to exert more control over how content appears on their platforms as some companies have scaled back their moderation efforts.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In September, a federal judge prevented Utah from enforcing them.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
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In Kansas City, the city’s health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Across the eastern Baltic states (an area pertaining to modern-day Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), there are even more examples of broken tools in Stone Age burials.—
Sarah Durn,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
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The list pertains to jerseys officially licensed by the NFL Players Association.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What was meant to be a moment of silence for Kirk on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening soon gave way to flashes of a vitriolic political divide that would escalate in the aftermath of the 31-year-old’s death.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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The development pool is designed to give younger players access to daily practices, training sessions and a dedicated performance staff.—
Roberta F. Rodrigues,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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