as in to buckle (down)
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply (oneself)
Verb
-
Ohtani jogged back to the dugout to get ready to pitch in the bottom of the frame.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
10 June 2026 -
Between his ability to consistently corral pitches in the dirt, smoothly field bunts and choppers near home plate and keep runners in check on the base paths, he's shown enough defensive prowess to rightfully be viewed as the team’s catcher of the future.—
Tyler Carmona
June 9,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
So that was getting to really dig in on a network TV show.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
-
Once the sprinkles have adhered, shake off any remaining, turn over, dig in and enjoy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Magadan had a deadly reputation in the Stalin era, as a hub for Gulag mines where political prisoners slaved sometimes to death and produced gold and other minerals in the process.—
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Po’s journey begins while slaving away at his boring noodle job on the day the Dragon Warrior is to be chosen.—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Shi seemed confident that Strand Larsen, who was keen to join Newcastle United before the deadline, will knuckle down despite Wolves rejecting two bids.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
European countries need to knuckle down and increase their military capabilities while Russia is still dedicating a chunk of its forces to its invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's defense minister has said.—
Ellie Cook — reporting from Prague, Czech Republic,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stephen Kolek labored through the first three innings for Kansas City, delivering 55 pitches and allowing six baserunners, but stranded four.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Front-line health workers, who labor with little pay or rest, have been attacked multiple times by angry residents, and have been unable to reach some communities cut off by conflict involving armed rebels.—
Justin Kabumba,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
To heat-style, blow-dry curtain bangs away from the face, sweeping them from side to side with a paddle brush.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
-
Brian Cashman gets it all the time, but good, from Yankee fans; for them, banging away at Cashman on social media feels like the real national pastime.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The 38-year-old is not easing his way into this match, helping clear an early ball for Argentina by tracking into the defensive backfield and winning possession himself as his side struggled to clear its lines.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
-
Caitlin Clark orchestrates offense Clark struggled to find her shooting touch Tuesday, missing 10 of 15 field goal attempts and seven of eight 3-pointers.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Apply (oneself).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply%20%28oneself%29. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
