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
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Recent Examples of apply
The Power Play multiplier does not apply to prizes won in the Double Play drawing.
—
Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Endeavor also applied for the longest flaring permit — 6,300 days, or more than 17 years.
—ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
But the payoff in growth depends on how widely and efficiently those ideas are applied in production — which doesn’t happen instantly.
—Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In the ocean, the restrictions apply out to three miles from the nearest point of land.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Endeavor also applied for the longest flaring permit — 6,300 days, or more than 17 years.
—ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
But the payoff in growth depends on how widely and efficiently those ideas are applied in production — which doesn’t happen instantly.
—Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In the ocean, the restrictions apply out to three miles from the nearest point of land.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 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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Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Ten Hag’s first season at United yielded silverware and a third-place league finish, but also had bouts of concerning away form, with tactical weaknesses that would eventually spread and critically undermine his plans for the future.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 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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Complex carbs exert the opposite effect.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
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But Hosoda’s expressionism virtually disappears thereafter, and a dry sense of order exerts itself once the story is spirited back towards Elsinore.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During my First Term, few were more effective or tenacious than Peter in enforcing my two sacred rules, Buy American, Hire American.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Smart contracts can enforce quality checks, reputation scores, and dispute resolution mechanisms.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Therapists going the route of AI usage will need to be mindful of the latest laws and regulations pertaining to AI usage.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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There is more to follow, all of which pertains to the film’s title and is rather laborious to discuss in a review without spoilers.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition to that, a membership gives you access to Prime Video, with unlimited streaming and original programming.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
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There is tremendous demand to be part of NFL team ownership and, relative to other leagues, very few sales or transfers of ownership stakes give a buyer controlling interest in a team.—
Michael Ozanian,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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