as in to buckle (down)
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply (oneself)
Verb
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That was the only hit off Drew Rasmussen, who threw 74 pitches in six shutout innings and did not permit a runner to reach third.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025 -
Dembele is left to lead the press on his own and cut the pitch in half by arcing his press to shut the passing lane between Villa’s centre-backs.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
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This personal protective equipment is unworkable because wildland firefighting includes hiking for miles and digging in the dirt for days and weeks at a time.—
Riva Duncan,
Denver Post,
3 June 2025
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The fact that Putin has once again dug in his heels and presented an uncompromising response to calls for peace, may now force Trump to act.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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However, the worse the prison’s conditions become — as the workers are forced to slave away on secret Death Star parts with no promise of release — the more Kino is pushed to join Cassian and his brewing prisoner revolt.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
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Don’t like the idea of slaving away for hours in the kitchen this December?—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One teacher remembered him as an unspectacular student, more focused on making his cohort laugh than knuckling down.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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There is every chance Pepi may decide to knuckle down and keep pushing De Jong, as PSV chase a successful defense of their title and progress in the Champions League.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Halfway through his first term, Johnson is laboring diligently to shore up his support among Black voters.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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Supreme Court justice calls it 'ridiculous' Trump cuts reach climate scientists who labored for free Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Verb
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As several drummers banged away, Vázquez danced near a table and teammates clapped along to the music, including a spirited effort from Royce Lewis.—
Dan Hayes,
The Athletic,
16 Aug. 2024
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One of the roadies came out to bang away on the piano, the notes more felt than heard, part of the noise.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Command and control continue to haunt Cleveland Guardians right-hander, Triston McKenzie. McKenzie, 27, struggled mightily in his brief appearances with the Guardians this season.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Both ended up struggling to hold their country together, let alone effect the changes that their activist supporters had hoped to see.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Apply (oneself).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply%20%28oneself%29. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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