as in to buckle (down)
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply (oneself)
Verb
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Dembele is left to lead the press on his own and cut the pitch in half by arcing his press to shut the passing lane between Villa’s centre-backs.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
29 May 2025 -
That was the only hit off Drew Rasmussen, who threw 74 pitches in six shutout innings and did not permit a runner to reach third.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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This personal protective equipment is unworkable because wildland firefighting includes hiking for miles and digging in the dirt for days and weeks at a time.—
Riva Duncan,
Denver Post,
3 June 2025
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The fact that Putin has once again dug in his heels and presented an uncompromising response to calls for peace, may now force Trump to act.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The Swiss brand—ever the innovators—modified its automatic calibre 1030 by fitting it with an extra hour hand slaved to the local hour hand and placed this movement in an Oyster case.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2025
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However, the worse the prison’s conditions become — as the workers are forced to slave away on secret Death Star parts with no promise of release — the more Kino is pushed to join Cassian and his brewing prisoner revolt.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One teacher remembered him as an unspectacular student, more focused on making his cohort laugh than knuckling down.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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There is every chance Pepi may decide to knuckle down and keep pushing De Jong, as PSV chase a successful defense of their title and progress in the Champions League.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Halfway through his first term, Johnson is laboring diligently to shore up his support among Black voters.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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Supreme Court justice calls it 'ridiculous' Trump cuts reach climate scientists who labored for free Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Verb
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As several drummers banged away, Vázquez danced near a table and teammates clapped along to the music, including a spirited effort from Royce Lewis.—
Dan Hayes,
The Athletic,
16 Aug. 2024
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One of the roadies came out to bang away on the piano, the notes more felt than heard, part of the noise.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Command and control continue to haunt Cleveland Guardians right-hander, Triston McKenzie. McKenzie, 27, struggled mightily in his brief appearances with the Guardians this season.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Both ended up struggling to hold their country together, let alone effect the changes that their activist supporters had hoped to see.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Apply (oneself).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply%20%28oneself%29. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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