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
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
Many major airlines are also waiving change fees and penalties for passengers who are looking to switch their flights on their own, though some carriers are applying limits.
—
Rob Wile, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
Thompson immediately began applying for jobs, including DoorDash, grocery stores and substitute teaching.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Researchers in Canada are applying a new technique that can offer longer life to the Western red cedar, one of the country’s most iconic building materials.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Fincher and other staffers wore the polishes on this list for up to three weeks, applying them the same way and checking in at the one- and three-week marks to see how each held up.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
But now, the 37% top rate is set to continue indefinitely, applying to income above $626,350 for single filers and $751,600 for married couples filing jointly.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
New York City's Business Express Service Teams (BEST) directly assist small businesses in applying for permits and complying with regulations.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
By the end of last season, Ancelotti was getting frustrated with how some of his stars were losing focus and not applying their talents to the benefit of collective success.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
While individual well-being adds up to represent the happiness of a nation, Heshmati cautions against applying the study’s conclusions to your own health and risk of death from chronic disease.
—Lindsey Leake, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Rob Wile, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
Thompson immediately began applying for jobs, including DoorDash, grocery stores and substitute teaching.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Researchers in Canada are applying a new technique that can offer longer life to the Western red cedar, one of the country’s most iconic building materials.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Fincher and other staffers wore the polishes on this list for up to three weeks, applying them the same way and checking in at the one- and three-week marks to see how each held up.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
But now, the 37% top rate is set to continue indefinitely, applying to income above $626,350 for single filers and $751,600 for married couples filing jointly.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
New York City's Business Express Service Teams (BEST) directly assist small businesses in applying for permits and complying with regulations.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
By the end of last season, Ancelotti was getting frustrated with how some of his stars were losing focus and not applying their talents to the benefit of collective success.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
While individual well-being adds up to represent the happiness of a nation, Heshmati cautions against applying the study’s conclusions to your own health and risk of death from chronic disease.
—Lindsey Leake, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying
Verb
-
The song, which is the second track on the album, makes several references and nods to some of Taylor's famous life, while also seemingly relating them to Swift.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Libra balanced scales also teach us that relating is a paradox.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As a working mother, Meghan has been candid about running her business while also devoting plenty of time to her kiddos.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Michaels is devoting about 25% of space in its stores to this new venture while also launching a party concept.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And in 2008, the site allowed users to create their own feeds—called subreddits—creating popular threads on topics like politics and science, but also spreading controversial content.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Animation is spreading to ever corner of Latin America.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sarah Moore, executive director of the Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, questioned the legality of using American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Separately, Graffiedi is exploring immersion cooling for data centers using dielectric fluids — non-conductive liquids that remove heat through boiling.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The tastemaker brings to light a particularly poignant anecdote to illustrate the fact that her style decisions in the White House were nothing if not calculated — in many cases exerting a certain degree of soft power.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
As Moscow extended soft power abroad, the regime grew more concerned about other countries exerting it within Russia.—
Tetiana Kotelnykova,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Big 12 Conference is now enforcing a new rule enacted in the offseason that penalizes teams for objects being thrown on the field, and Texas Tech has been forced to institute the ban.—
Jordy Fee-Platt,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
During their first reign from 1996-2001, the Taliban had outlawed all music besides non-instrumental religious chanting, enforcing the ban with brutal tactics that included a suicide bombing at an ANIM student concert.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The misdemeanor charge is for petty theft, pertaining to the removal of a campaign sign.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The lawmakers put forth requests for improvement, particularly pertaining to strengthening safeguards against unfair labor practices and incentivizing onshoring.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After being introduced to Picasso, Stein quickly developed a close relationship with him, discussing his work in his cluttered studio, giving him loans, and purchasing his paintings.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Once seated, she is expected to become the 218th signatory on the discharge petition, giving the coalition enough support to force Johnson’s hand.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share