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?

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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 Briceno recommends coating both sides of the brush, wiping away any excess, and making sure the bristles come to a clean edge before applying. — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026 The trailer relies on a hitch coupler force sensor to provide continuous feedback on the pull on the tow vehicle, managing the trailer's movement by increasing motor output or applying the electro-mechanical brakes located at all four wheels. — New Atlas, 23 July 2026 International students must now be more certain of their academic path before applying, establish strong study habits early, and cultivate robust support networks to navigate these stricter regulations. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Surprisingly, the aggravation that the Spider-Man team endured five years ago hasn’t stopped them from applying a similar playbook to Sadie Sink’s top-secret role in Brand New Day. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026 Built on refined techniques HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fabricated four of the nine total sectors, applying manufacturing techniques originally developed for large-scale maritime hulls and offshore industrial facilities. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026 By applying sunscreen before heading outdoors, reapplying throughout the day and pairing it with other forms of sun protection, Mercer said people can reduce their risk of sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer. — Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 17 July 2026 These two drivers are poised to reaccelerate earnings by increasing high-margin recurring revenue and applying DBS to systematically improve Masimo's margins. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026 Companies sometimes skirt the issue by publishing wide salary ranges, which could deter women from applying. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 16 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying

Verb

Its symbols represent a mathematical formula relating the time periods of celestial bodies’ motions in the sky.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 July 2026
By researching Seth, Jacob is trying to recapture or devise a purer form of relating.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Definition of relating

Verb

Concerned that the programs’ growing sophistication could induce emotional dependency and addiction, China last week banned minors from using AI companions and imposed additional requirements on platforms to prevent misuse.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
At the time of his death, Garcia-Sanchez was hauling asbestos-containing materials from the ninth floor to lower levels using a freight elevator, the report said.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of using

Verb

But sometimes just thinking about tackling those jobs can feel exhausting, creating a barrier to success even for people who are highly motivated to improve their homes and their lives by exerting control over their belongings.

— Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 18 July 2026
Supporters argue that these efforts are necessary to preserve attorney independence, protect client confidentiality, and prevent investors from exerting undue influence over lawyers.

— Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of exerting

Verb

The question of Wardlaw’s mental health has been brought up before — and is now being used by Republican lawmakers to try to criticize city leaders for not properly enforcing the state’s camping ban for large cities.

— Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 July 2026
In an opinion published Tuesday, US District Judge James Boasberg granted a preliminary injunction blocking the State Department from enforcing the policy until the CITR’s lawsuit is resolved.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026

Definition of enforcing

Verb

On Tuesday, July 14, Teresa Giudice‘s 20-year-old daughter virtually appeared in court for a hearing pertaining to her May 14 arrest alongside her attorney Alan Kraminsky.

— Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
While Wise’s veterinary license remains active, McMahan said that anything pertaining to that license would have to come from the Attorney General’s Office, which would bring findings to the veterinary board.

— Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of pertaining

Verb

Much of the early literature framed the debate as a choice between state and private ownership, giving less attention to the broad range of ownership and governance arrangements that lie between those two extremes.

— James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
This deep price drop completely sweeps away the financial barrier typically attached to high-power smart floor robots, giving busy families, pet owners, and apartment dwellers an easy way to maintain pristine floors.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026