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
In addition to rinsing off aphids, applying a soapy water solution can help get them out of your garden.
—
Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
To recreate the look, begin by applying styling gel to your hair and then part it in the middle.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
The 2024 collection made use of d’Adda’s surplus fabrics from her fall 2022 collection by applying them to Louboutin styles and a codesigned silhouette, the Addada boot.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Larimer County Conservation Corps Volunteers removed dead trees, invasive species and other fuels that could contribute to future wildfires, applying lessons learned from Larimer County's recovery efforts.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Messinger recommends testing the spray on one leaf before applying it more widely to prevent plant burn.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Jay has just one hour of oxygen left to forge an escape, applying the knowledge and skill set his late father passed on to him, while also reconciling their strained relationship in the process.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
Ohio’s exemption is fairly broad, applying not only to construction materials, but to the expensive equipment — such as server racks and cooling systems — used in data centers.
—Marc Levy, Fortune, 29 May 2026
When applying blush to her mature clients, Paulina works with the bone structure.
—Jenny Berg, Glamour, 29 May 2026
Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
To recreate the look, begin by applying styling gel to your hair and then part it in the middle.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
The 2024 collection made use of d’Adda’s surplus fabrics from her fall 2022 collection by applying them to Louboutin styles and a codesigned silhouette, the Addada boot.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Larimer County Conservation Corps Volunteers removed dead trees, invasive species and other fuels that could contribute to future wildfires, applying lessons learned from Larimer County's recovery efforts.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Messinger recommends testing the spray on one leaf before applying it more widely to prevent plant burn.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Jay has just one hour of oxygen left to forge an escape, applying the knowledge and skill set his late father passed on to him, while also reconciling their strained relationship in the process.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
Ohio’s exemption is fairly broad, applying not only to construction materials, but to the expensive equipment — such as server racks and cooling systems — used in data centers.
—Marc Levy, Fortune, 29 May 2026
When applying blush to her mature clients, Paulina works with the bone structure.
—Jenny Berg, Glamour, 29 May 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
-
Some of them are old systems of knowledge, ways of relating the body to fertility, death, and survival.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s easier said than done, especially when organizations are devoting far more resources to AI tools than to helping employees adapt to them.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
-
The famous star of stage and screen was an outspoken opponent of fascism before World War II, devoting his time and money to relief groups aiding victims of Nazi Germany.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
While firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to livestock pens and other buildings on the property, everything Nieto owned was incinerated, according to the outlet.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The child began to show symptoms several days later, including a runny nose, cough, congestion, fever and a rash starting at the head and spreading to the rest of the body.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Dec. 2025
-
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Indiana editor.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The solicitor general’s assertion was met with some pushback by justices who questioned how far-reaching that claim would be and whether the agencies are solely exerting executive power.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The war in Ukraine should be Europeanized so that Europe can police its own region and keep Russia from exerting outsize influence beyond its borders.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
If the state is really intent on enforcing crosswalk-marking standards and not just intent on pushing a hateful, exclusionist agenda, the answer will be yes.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
-
According to Tour and Travel World, Venice isn’t the only Italian city enforcing penalties for bad behavior.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
There are more important things pertaining to the party to worry about than that.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
While the Justice Department has released a slew of files, some have been pushed back, prompting Democrats to insist the department has not complied with a law passed by Congress last year requiring the release of all documents pertaining to Epstein.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Local groups Sin Tope and Making Movies performed on the festival’s main stage, giving fans a chance to decompress and have some fun, rather than stressing about their favorite team.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
Towards the end of Thursday night’s episode, voice-over narrator Iain Stirling revealed that because the app crashed, the recoupling was moved to Friday night, hopefully giving the first Aftersun episode plenty to discuss.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
