Synonyms of applying

applying

verb

present participle of apply

1

as in relating

to have a relation or connection

does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relating
• pertaining
• referring
• concerning
• involving
• affecting
• connecting
• interesting
• appertaining
• having to do with
• touching
• bearing
• linking
• treating
• coupling
• dealing (with)
• associating
• interrelating
• tying in

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• devoting
• giving
• committing
• addressing
• buckling
• bending
• working
• reapplying
• getting cracking
• getting with it
• spending
• turning one's hand
• getting one's act together
• setting (to)
• concerning
• involving
• settling (down)
• exerting
• readdressing
• engaging
• busying
• taxing
• stressing
• wearing out
• troubling
• plowing
• exhausting
• knuckling down
• carrying on
• plunging (in)
• putting out
• hustling
• grinding
• pitching in
• plugging (away)
• straining
• humping
• pegging (away)
• plodding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• playing
• idling
• fooling around
• trifling
• fiddling (around)
• messing around
• dawdling
• puttering (around)
• dallying
• pottering (around)
• monkeying (around)
• dillydallying

3

as in spreading

to put a layer of on a surface

apply the ointment liberally

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spreading
• smearing
• laying
• coating
• sheeting
• laying on
• dabbing
• layering
• plastering
• slathering
• daubing
• anointing
• overlaying
• covering
• bedaubing
• besmearing
• surfacing
• blanketing
• overlying
• carpeting
• mantling
• overspreading

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exposing
• stripping
• peeling
• uncovering
• baring

4

as in using

to put into action or service

apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• using
• utilizing
• exploiting
• employing
• harnessing
• operating
• exercising
• drawing on
• making use of
• handling
• wielding
• manipulating
• bringing to bear
• working
• directing
• running
• recycling
• reusing
• cannibalizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• neglecting
• misusing
• misapplying

5

as in exerting

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively

apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exerting
• using
• wielding
• employing
• plying
• utilizing
• exercising
• putting out
• misapplying
• misusing
• abusing

6

as in enforcing

to carry out effectively

a police officer applying the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enforcing
• implementing
• administering
• executing
• effecting
• fulfilling
• invoking
• enacting
• rendering
• citing
• bringing about
• effectuating
• prosecuting
• upholding
• observing
• honoring
• discharging
• promulgating
• legislating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• neglecting
• disregarding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of applying

The exemption would be phased in beginning next January, initially applying to vehicles built before 1981 and expanding by one model year for five years. — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

One counterargument to the policy of applying economic pressure is that the US has been sanctioning Iran, like a handful of other nations, for decades without sparking meaningful political change. — Magdalena Del Valle, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

When China’s bloated property sector began to crater in 2021, Beijing punted again, rebalancing by applying its industrial policy to high-value manufacturing—EVs, batteries, solar modules, and semiconductors. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Getting stuck in a cycle of applying, waiting, and wondering is. — Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Patinkin says your fingers are perfectly capable of applying a skin tint, and the warmth of your hands actually helps melt the product into the skin. — Marci Robin, Allure, 13 Aug. 2026

In the United Kingdom and Germany, top individual income tax rates reach 45% and 42%, respectively, with additional surcharges potentially applying in certain circumstances. — Alia Noor, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Other ways to reduce flares in the summer include wearing lightweight, breathable fabrics to minimize friction and sweat accumulation on plaques, showering promptly after sweating, and applying emollients to maintain your skin barrier. — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026

The court said federal children’s privacy laws prevent Meta from applying age-verification tools to children under 13. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026