Synonyms of apply

apply

verb

ə-ˈplī 

1

as in to relate

to have a relation or connection

does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relate
• pertain
• refer
• affect
• involve
• bear
• touch
• appertain
• connect
• have to do with
• concern
• treat
• interest
• deal (with)
• link
• associate
• couple
• interrelate
• tie in

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

• devote
• give
• commit
• address
• get cracking
• bend
• buckle
• reapply
• work
• get with it
• spend
• turn one's hand
• set (to)
• get one's act together
• settle (down)
• engage
• involve
• exert
• wear out
• readdress
• busy
• carry on
• tax
• put out
• concern
• knuckle down
• pitch in
• plunge (in)
• trouble
• exhaust
• stress
• plow
• plug (away)
• grind
• peg (away)
• hustle
• strain
• hump
• plod

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• play
• fool around
• idle
• trifle
• dawdle
• fiddle (around)
• putter (around)
• mess around
• monkey (around)
• potter (around)
• dally
• dillydally

3

as in to spread

to put a layer of on a surface

apply the ointment liberally

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spread
• lay
• smear
• sheet
• lay on
• coat
• layer
• plaster
• dab
• anoint
• slather
• daub
• cover
• bedaub
• surface
• overlay
• carpet
• besmear
• blanket
• overlie
• overspread
• mantle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• uncover
• strip
• peel
• bare

4

as in to use

to put into action or service

apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• utilize
• exploit
• employ
• operate
• harness
• exercise
• draw on
• make use of
• handle
• wield
• manipulate
• bring to bear
• work
• direct
• run
• reuse
• recycle
• cannibalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• misuse
• misapply

5

as in to exert

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively

apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exert
• use
• wield
• employ
• utilize
• exercise
• ply
• put out
• misapply
• misuse
• abuse

6

as in to enforce

to carry out effectively

a police officer applying the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enforce
• implement
• execute
• administer
• fulfill
• effect
• render
• enact
• invoke
• bring about
• cite
• effectuate
• observe
• prosecute
• honor
• legislate
• uphold
• discharge
• promulgate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of apply

From there, a wash of color on the eyes—either shade Poncho or Nude Dress from the 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette—was applied. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 14 May 2026

Note, though, that this automatic protection applies only to direct deposits of your Social Security benefits. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 May 2026

Batavia MainStreet Assistant Director Kristen Desler said more than 125 vendors applied to be part of this year’s market. —David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

Though the yuan is harder to trade than the pound—China has a number of capital controls—the same logic, more or less, should apply to China today. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 May 2026