APPLYING Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

applying

verb

present participle of apply

as in relating

to have a relation or connection does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in devoting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spreading

to put a layer of on a surface apply the ointment liberally

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as in using

to put into action or service apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

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as in exerting

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

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as in enforcing

to carry out effectively a police officer applying the law

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of applying That provision could increase financial penalties for businesses applying individualized pricing across large customer groups. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026 The Problem Expertise develops through applying knowledge, facing consequences and adjusting when an approach fails. — Hani Assi, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026 Today’s collaboration between AD100 design firm Nickey Kehoe and The Lacquer Company brings the glossy finish down to a slightly more manageable scale, applying it to coffee tables, desks, trays, and tissue boxes. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 12 Nov. 2026 Compare the final cost per card after applying promotional codes, and remember to factor in shipping and other fees. — ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026 The state agriculture department is applying for additional funds from USDA for the initiative, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2026 In February 2025, Abdullah was a 14-year-old freshman applying for the Advanced Placement English program for the coming year. — Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026 Following the hearing, the Indian Prairie school board voted Monday in favor of the district applying for the waiver to raise its fee. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026 Prosecutors also revealed that Agtsteribbe had allegedly been applying for and obtaining memberships in other veterans organizations dating back to 2019, including the Military Order of the Purple Heart. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying

Verb

Conflict with Indigenous peoples on the Maine frontier had sent traumatized refugees into the region, relating horror stories of attacks on their homes.

— Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Vollmann was also pessimistic, relating that feeling comes from more than America’s current political issues, but also from the world’s environmental problems.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of relating

Verb

Turner was hardly alone among artists in devoting the same intensity of care to the enrichment of a painting that others give to the rearing of a child.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
Amanpour did not offer a reason for her departure, devoting most of her memo to thanking the production crews who worked with her over the years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of devoting

Verb

Grey Owl Eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’) is a low-growing and low-spreading shrub that reaches 3 to 4 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide with silver-grey foliage and blue berries.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Melanoma that has not penetrated into the deeper layer of the skin carries very little risk of spreading, in comparison.

— Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of spreading

Verb

After the issue was identified, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office directed districts to pause electronic disbursements using BM Technologies and issue paper checks or other payment methods instead.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Its sweet, soft, umami-rich profile can shift the taste of a recipe, so Czerwony suggests using about half the usual amount of garlic and adjusting from there.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of using

Verb

Solid economic growth and steady consumer spending are also exerting upward pressure on prices, complicating the task of taming inflation, according to economists.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Bond yields in France, for example, ticked up to their highest levels since 2002 on Wednesday, exerting more pressure on government budgets.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of exerting

Verb

The city also plans to recover the costs of reviewing applications, processing permits and enforcing cannabis regulations.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Ideological court-packing The Supreme Court was enforcing that before mandatory retirements and resignations let DeSantis stack the judicial deck with right-wing ideologues.

— Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of enforcing

Verb

The company declined to comment on this story, but referenced chief executive officer Elliott Hill’s first-quarter fiscal-year 2027 earnings call comments pertaining to making Air Jordans more limited.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
Anyone with information pertaining to the suspect is asked to contact KPD at (360)423-1270.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of pertaining

Verb

Rather than giving direct answers, the company said, AI Mode will provide a step-by-step breakdown of the problem to avoid short-circuiting learning.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Mercury and Venus remain retrograde, giving familiar arrangements room for revision.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026