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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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 But local hoteliers say the proposal is riddled with problems, would unfairly impact hotels more than other businesses and might violate state law by applying flat fees to hotels instead of per-worker charges. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026 An employee was seen applying mayo to a bun with his bare hands. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026 Allow the product to completely absorb before applying other skin care products, like face moisturizer and SPF. — Daley Quinn, Glamour, 9 July 2026 Construction was partially delayed due to soil conditions on the site needing additional analysis before applying for permits, according to Adam Rhew, CEO of SouthPark Community Partners, a nonprofit overseeing the park renovations. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026 For decades, some museums interpreted the law as applying to human bones but not necessarily hair, despite protests from Native groups. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026 But a physician isn't a coding expert, and that note gets passed to a back office of coders churning through backlogs, applying codes without the clinical context. — Mike Valli, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Congress specifically prohibited states from applying gambling laws to swaps in certain limited circumstances, and similarly prohibited state regulation of swaps in insurance contracts and other contexts, Torres wrote. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026 Try applying wallpaper to a single accent wall or just the portion above a chair rail. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying

Verb

So, remember, by finding weeds, noting their location, relating them to a condition, and choosing corrective actions based on that condition, gardeners can begin to form maintenance diagnoses for their gardens through weeds.

— Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
The young players seem to like how Harbaugh is teaching and relating, too.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026

Definition of relating

Verb

Every board meeting is devoting a significant amount of time to the succession question, the source said.

— Anirban Sen, USA Today, 29 June 2026
While his once-promising political career was over, Profumo earned a measure of redemption by devoting the rest of his life to charitable work and in being named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1975.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026

Definition of devoting

Verb

Sked said bed bugs rarely disappear on their own, making early detection and prompt professional treatment the best way to prevent infestations from spreading.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 July 2026
By spreading the cost across many businesses, support organizations can deliver sophisticated capabilities at a fraction of the cost.

— Rob Falzon, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of spreading

Verb

Federal officials are using helicopters and ground vehicles to drive the horses into a large catch pen with holding corrals.

— Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
But a growing number of ships are using a route close to the Omani coast instead, threatening Iran’s leverage over the waterway.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of using

Verb

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
Getting your hands dirty with charcoal, tweaking vents and chimneys to stop chunks of oak from flaring up and destroying your brisket, exerting your will over the heat inside a big metal box; barbecue takes a lot of practice.

— Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026

Definition of exerting

Verb

In a staff report describing the proposal, city officials said the user fees would simply allow the city to recover its costs for enforcing wage laws and helping businesses understand those laws and how to comply with them.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
The arbitration was later dismissed, but FKA twigs (whose legal name is Tahliah Barnett) brought a lawsuit against LaBeouf seeking a court order that would block him from enforcing portions of the NDA.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

Definition of enforcing

Verb

Poncy claims the renaming could lead to safety risk and communication issues for pilots and air traffic controllers, raises uncertainties pertaining to licensing and trademark rights, and is an overreach of power on local government.

— Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2026
Bill Clinton issues rules that require that medical providers obtain the consent of patients before releasing medical information pertaining to those patients.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026

Definition of pertaining

Verb

With the crack of the ball against his bat, Tommy Edman scored from third, giving the Dodgers the lead.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Another challenge is that the EV segment relies heavily on rare earths imported from China, giving Indian two-wheeler makers little control over supply and pricing.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026