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
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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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Investigators suspected the two killings were related but ran out of leads and the cases went cold.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Islam recommends devoting no more than 5% of your portfolio to thematic ETFs, for example.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
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Regardless of high prices, Bulgari’s Creative Director Lucia Silvestri has devoted herself to making the pieces more wearable, articulated, and comfortable on the body.—
Daisy Shaw-Ellis,
Vogue,
20 May 2025
Verb
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But some storefronts have shuttered as fear has spread, said Marie Jean-Francois, 45, one business owner there.—
Mark Bonamo,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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That’s the message that national weather forecasters, emergency management directors and public officials also are spreading as this year’s Atlantic hurricane season starts today and continues through Nov. 30.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
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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The bonus bets will be separate wagers that do not have to be used on the same market.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Each individual gene involved in a polygenic trait may exert only a small influence on that trait.—
Kermit Pattison,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
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Councilmember Yusef Salaam, who represents the area and exerts tremendous influence over whether or not One45 will pass in the Council, expressed myriad concerns about the project.—
Téa Kvetenadze,
New York Daily News,
20 May 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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Trump’s administration has also focused on social media posts in its investigation, particularly pertaining to Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily 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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This will give you adequate time to find the perfect viewing location and watch the sun glide between the skyscrapers.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside Online,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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