1
2
as in to devote
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 to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to use
to put into action or service
apply the laws of motion to this physics problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in to enforce
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.
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Recent Examples of apply
The highest rating a Star Wars film ever got was PG-13, the rating consistently applied to films in the franchise since 2005's Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
—
EW.com, 26 May 2025
Some eighteen hundred years later, Nietzsche had his migraines treated with leeches applied to his ears.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
His client in the case, Harry Wiley, a West Virginia coal miner, was diagnosed with an early stage of black lung and applied to NIOSH for a transfer to an environment with less dust exposure but never received a response.
—Taylor Sisk, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
The $30 cost includes all fees, but not taxes as applicable according to city, state and venue and applies to amphitheater shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
EW.com, 26 May 2025
Some eighteen hundred years later, Nietzsche had his migraines treated with leeches applied to his ears.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
His client in the case, Harry Wiley, a West Virginia coal miner, was diagnosed with an early stage of black lung and applied to NIOSH for a transfer to an environment with less dust exposure but never received a response.
—Taylor Sisk, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
The $30 cost includes all fees, but not taxes as applicable according to city, state and venue and applies to amphitheater shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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Although Jaylin and Jalen Williams are not related, Jalen does have a brother in the NBA.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
5 June 2025
-
Investigators suspected the two killings were related but ran out of leads and the cases went cold.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
Verb
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However, manufacturers should devote similar attention to their return on data.—
Simon Dae Oong Kim,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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As one of vanishingly few Palestinian American voices in Hollywood, Amer might have devoted what would, unfortunately, be his show’s final season to current events.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
3 June 2025
Verb
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After rumors spread recently that Coinbase and Ripple were vying to acquire Circle, the largest stablecoin company in the United States just squashed speculation by announcing their IPO will go live next week on June 4.—
Cleve Mesidor,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
The feature was received well by their readers and gradually spread to other publications.—
Dylan Hernández,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The initiative draws water from the L.A. River in downtown L.A., cleans it and uses it to irrigate Los Angeles State Historic Park.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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Users from 18 to 34 are much more likely than older generations to use TikTok.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Some exert control through violence, some through financial dominance, and others through the threat of divorce and social isolation.—
TrickleUp,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Threatening to bar or limit imports can successfully exert pressure on trading partners.—
Robert O. Keohane,
Foreign Affairs,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The society began assuming many of the responsibilities previously provided by the county, signing contracts with cities across the region to take in strays, help with spaying and neutering, return lost animals to their owners and enforce licensing and other rules.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2025
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If the tax code is going to be enforced by machines, and the preparation calculated and handled by the same, the rules those machines follow should be legible and contestable, argues Andrew Leahey.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
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For instance, Santa Ana voters were set to decide on a measure that would have allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections, but this pertained solely to voting rights, not election administration.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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The panel's judgement pertained to two lawsuits — one filed by a group of states led by Arizona and Oregon, and other led by several small businesses.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
29 May 2025
Verb
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But there are few substitutes for availability, and no player has given more to Spurs this season than Porro.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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The former monk also gave specific advice on how to hone in on what's important in life.—
Melody Chiu,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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