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 Allow the serum to dry completely before applying any other products or lying down to sleep. — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026 Vanessa said her South Florida hospital tried to help by applying for a work visa on her behalf, but the application was denied. — Tania Francois, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Rules applying to businesses have to provide a net social good, as proven through rigorous cost-benefit analysis. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Here’s a bid, though, applying the above trends — in an elimination-style scientific method — to pick the next recipient. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 With Talwani’s decision lifting the League of Women Voters injunction, no court order currently prevents USPS from applying it to the November election. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Borrowers can potentially lower their private student loan interest rate by strengthening their credit, improving their debt-to-income ratio, or applying with a creditworthy co-signer. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 One of the most important is applying with a creditworthy cosigner. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Instead of a pomade stick, Tauber recommends using Oribe Gel Sérum on coils, applying a generous amount around the hairline before smoothing it back with a boar bristle brush. — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying

Verb

Relationship science draws a useful line here between two ways of relating.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Presenting one idea, and then relating it back to something political.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 July 2026

Definition of relating

Verb

Advisors can use technology to automate routine work, reinforce discipline and enhance consistency while devoting more time to relationships, decision making and portfolio construction.

— Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
As a result, many web hosting services offer the platform, with WP Engine devoting all its resources to it.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of devoting

Verb

Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, Pennsylvania health officials said, and a rash follows a few days later, starting on the head and spreading downward.

— Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Three to five days after the start of these symptoms, a red or reddish- brown rash appears, usually starting on a person’s face at the hairline and spreading downward to the entire body.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of spreading

Verb

Researchers have developed a new vision algorithm that lets humanoid robots perceive depth more like humans, using two forward-facing eyes.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Earlier this month, The Financial Times appended a note to a guest column after readers questioned whether it was written using AI.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of using

Verb

Iran is exerting pressure of its own by largely closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that carried a fifth of the world’s oil and gas before the war.

— David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
In the right hands, the Interior Ministry can be a formidable patronage machine, exerting authority over everything from local budgets to Senate elections.

— Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of exerting

Verb

Lawsuits have accused Lyft of failing to perform more thorough background checks on prospective drivers, maintaining in-car surveillance and enforcing zero-tolerance policies against drivers.

— Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students’ rights.

— Claire Sibonney, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of enforcing

Verb

However, a felony and four misdemeanor charges pertaining to domestic violence were dropped.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
But technically, there is no rule pertaining to a player going from an SEC school to the NFL, and then back to another conference program within the same year.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of pertaining

Verb

YouTube‘s Pedro Pina has doubled down on the case against giving prominence to British broadcasters on digital services.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Autonomous trucking provider Gatik raised $200 million in a Series D funding round, giving the company fresh capital to scale its driverless fleet and expand its middle-mile network as demand for autonomous freight gains momentum.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026