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
While the app’s messaging focuses on orangutans, Love says, the sustainability also applies to helping out corpse flowers.
—
Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 19 June 2025
Both apply to the Thunder, whose 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 has them on the precipice of their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City some 17 years ago.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
The company is pushing for legal changes and has applied for a city permit to begin limited autonomous operations with safety drivers on board.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Another hypothesis is that plastic bag fees are applied to more retailers than plastic bag bans.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 19 June 2025
Both apply to the Thunder, whose 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 has them on the precipice of their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City some 17 years ago.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
The company is pushing for legal changes and has applied for a city permit to begin limited autonomous operations with safety drivers on board.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Another hypothesis is that plastic bag fees are applied to more retailers than plastic bag bans.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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In February 2024, the EU adopted the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, legislation that specifically targeted green and climate related claims.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Both Singhs, who are not related, were arrested Friday, prosecutors announced.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Officials say that deterrent is why cases of ineligible people casting ballots are incredibly rare — a fact that's become increasingly apparent as more and more states devote resources to uncovering the few people that slip through the cracks every election.—
Miles Parks,
NPR,
28 June 2025
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For instance, using scheduling tools or features to automate social media posts and email campaigns enables marketers to devote additional time to more important activities.—
Roman Vrublivskyi,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Thousands will be rounded up, tortured, and executed as the regime spreads fear to survive.—
Siamak Namazi,
Time,
25 June 2025
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Mamdani held the advantage of being a media-savvy millennial who appeared singularly cognizant of the benefits of harnessing the internet to spread his message in a race where Cuomo held the power of instant name recognition.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Athit Perawongmetha | Reuters China is devising more ways for foreign institutions to use the yuan, as international confidence in the U.S. dollar falters.—
Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
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Testers reported the sterilizer works well and that using it is a breeze.—
Olivia Campbell,
Parents,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The club exerted control over teams through possession and physical dominance.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
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Raising that would exert upward pressure on low-wage jobs in general, putting more money in parents’ pockets.—
Anna North,
Vox,
26 June 2025
Verb
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These could include establishing legal work pathways for refugees, enforcing wage parity and labor inspections, guaranteeing freedom to unionize regardless of legal status, among others.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
25 June 2025
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Starting in July, the city will double down on enforcing its existing ban on public camping.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
24 June 2025
Verb
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More than one-third (35.6 percent) of for-sale condos in San Francisco are at risk of selling at a loss, drastically higher than the next two major metros on the list pertaining strictly to condos: Portland, Oregon, (24.8 percent) and Oakland (23.2 percent).—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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The data pertains to Medicaid recipients in California, Illinois, Washington and Washington, D.C., according to the AP report.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Arbus gives them all a focussed attention—a look that feels more like curiosity than concern.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
20 June 2025
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And there is a robust Italian influence, one that is unsurprising given several centuries of Italian migration to the city.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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