1
as in relating
to have a relation or connection
does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spreading
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in using
to put into action or service
apply the laws of motion to this physics problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in exerting
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively
apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in enforcing
to carry out effectively
a police officer applying the law
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of applying
McLaughlin said Life Biosciences is already applying its epigenetic reprogramming to help treat other conditions.
—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Researchers first synthesized the molecule by applying an electric discharge to a substance called thiophenol — a foul-smelling liquid containing sulfur, carbon and hydrogen.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
This year, the chi-chi ambiance will spike when White Elephant (from $1,995 per night) opens on Main Street, applying its Nantucket charm to the Rocky Mountains.
—Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
If needed, use a damp cloth to exfoliate your lips before applying your preparatory balm.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
These lessons are increasingly relevant for any enterprise applying AI to high-stakes operational systems, from logistics and manufacturing to financial services and healthcare.
—Paul Baier, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
James also suggests applying some hair spray before putting on any warm headwear to keep flyaways in place.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Jan. 2026
From a student perspective, applying early can feel like a smart move, to showcase heightened interest in the school, to be able to weigh options earlier, and to showcase stronger materials before senior-itis sets in.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Johnsen recommends applying 1 inch of water per week during dry spells.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Researchers first synthesized the molecule by applying an electric discharge to a substance called thiophenol — a foul-smelling liquid containing sulfur, carbon and hydrogen.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
This year, the chi-chi ambiance will spike when White Elephant (from $1,995 per night) opens on Main Street, applying its Nantucket charm to the Rocky Mountains.
—Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
If needed, use a damp cloth to exfoliate your lips before applying your preparatory balm.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
These lessons are increasingly relevant for any enterprise applying AI to high-stakes operational systems, from logistics and manufacturing to financial services and healthcare.
—Paul Baier, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
James also suggests applying some hair spray before putting on any warm headwear to keep flyaways in place.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Jan. 2026
From a student perspective, applying early can feel like a smart move, to showcase heightened interest in the school, to be able to weigh options earlier, and to showcase stronger materials before senior-itis sets in.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Johnsen recommends applying 1 inch of water per week during dry spells.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying
Verb
-
Feeling withdrawn from relating?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Reps for both Harry and the King said that the pair met for tea at Clarence House, relating afterwards that no other details would be shared.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Firm research shows mom-and-pop investors are typically devoting only a small portion of their overall portfolios to these speculative plays, while keeping most of their money in more traditional investments.—
Yun Li,Kate Rooney,Alex Harring,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The state is devoting $50 million in federal grant funding this year to cancer screening, prevention and treatment.—
Virginia Barreda,
Des Moines Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Panic is spreading in immigrant communities.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
By defining core beliefs, researching client needs, and training AI with personal style, creatives can scale content, prototype ideas faster, and free up time for enriching experiences, ultimately spreading their humanity further.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Though Amelia is a particularly viral example, using AI to generate content was already a popular pastime for the online right in Britain.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Those who bought the checks would then attempt to fraudulently cash them, according to federal prosecutors, using a variety of methods.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One climate indicator already exerting a strong influence on insurers and reinsurers is ocean conditions, particularly sea surface temperatures.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Independence is exerting its local authority to add some restrictions to development agreements between the city and outside agencies.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
City council members also questioned what role the county should have in enforcing the rise of street vending within the city.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Hospitals, though, fall into a gray area on enforcing these rights, since they are primarily focused on treating medical needs, Weber said.—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Landfair details in the book for the first time, the years between 2002 – when Kelly was arrested on a 21-count indictment pertaining to child pornography charges – and his 2008 acquittal were spent under a fog, with Kelly keeping Landfair under his thumb even more than before.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
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The act gave the Justice Department 30 days to make publicly available all unclassified records pertaining to investigations and prosecutions of Epstein and Maxwell.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
And then there’s the new DineAlley, which curates private culinary journeys across the Tasman Peninsula, giving guests behind-the-scenes access to working farms, vineyards, oyster sheds and distilleries that are otherwise difficult to visit on your own.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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