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
In Southern California, researchers are applying the approach to eelgrass, a type of seagrass, as traditional restoration methods falter.
—
ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
The court document says their eligibility for public assistance programs was based on statements Elsagher and Elshazli provided to the county agency, which requires people applying to accurately report their household income and assets.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Work in a small section at a time rather than applying the stripper onto the whole deck at once.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Many service members don't even really know that applying as a conscientious objector, or CO, is an option.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
The legislation would also open up $100,000 in grant funding to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of a water system if that town is in the midst of applying for abandonment.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
When applying soap, wash from the bottom up.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Doncic’s agent Bill Duffy said in a statement to ESPN that Doncic planned on applying for such a challenge with the reasoning of his child’s birth.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Peppermint oil works as a natural wasp deterrent, and applying it is straightforward.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
The court document says their eligibility for public assistance programs was based on statements Elsagher and Elshazli provided to the county agency, which requires people applying to accurately report their household income and assets.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Work in a small section at a time rather than applying the stripper onto the whole deck at once.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Many service members don't even really know that applying as a conscientious objector, or CO, is an option.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
The legislation would also open up $100,000 in grant funding to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of a water system if that town is in the midst of applying for abandonment.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
When applying soap, wash from the bottom up.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Doncic’s agent Bill Duffy said in a statement to ESPN that Doncic planned on applying for such a challenge with the reasoning of his child’s birth.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Peppermint oil works as a natural wasp deterrent, and applying it is straightforward.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying
Verb
-
The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In relating her story this way, Gisèle is restoring to the record her waking life.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing will ever undo the original sin, and devoting your life to ruining someone else’s is a loss for both of you.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Tony has fully jumped into our theatre program devoting himself to straight plays and musical theatre.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Such attacks range from spreading malware and executing identity theft scams to producing deepfake videos and launching ransomware attacks, according to cybersecurity experts.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Cascading types have a more spreading form to fill in containers.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rather, the hackers Smart and colleagues traced to an IP address in this city have been using the wily method his team uncovered to pilfer millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Equally important was Queen Margherita’s association with what would become the Reale Circolo Mandolinisti, in Florence, which established a full mandolin orchestra using mandolins, the larger mandolas, and mandocellos.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This would likely force World Liberty to sell WLFI tokens to repay the loan, exerting additional downward pressure on the token’s price.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The pinafore-style dress was in a twee ditsy print and flowed well past her knees, while a leather belt sat happily on her waist without exerting effort to cinch.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Notably, the current administration has also made enforcing Students for Fair Admissions’ prohibition on discrimination in education a high priority.—
Alison Somin,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In many mining districts, criminal organizations effectively govern territory, controlling entry, resolving disputes and enforcing authority through violence.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Details pertaining to the suspect or their vehicle are yet to be released.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The information Martin County attorneys are asking to see information pertaining to medications provided to Woods’ through Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Rocus, also known as The Bone Wreck, ran aground while transporting a cargo of cow bones to be used as fertilizer on the island, thus giving Anegada's Cow Wreck Beach its unique name.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
All in all, Springs totaled seven scoreless innings, one hit, two walks, six strikeouts and 93 pitches before giving way to a bullpen that also blanked the Bombers.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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