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 memo suggests that officials prioritize immigrants who have been in the country longer than a year but who have not applied for asylum.
—
Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Firefly Bulk Create is powered by Adobe Firefly Services, a set of APIs for generative AI tasks such as resizing assets, or swapping backgrounds, and applying the changes to thousands of pieces of content with one action.
—Joan Verdon, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Previously, the perk only applied to members of Starbucks’ loyalty program.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
Lawmakers also further loosened the rules by allowing H-1B workers to extend their visas to six years or more and to apply for permanent residency while in temporary status.
—Gabrielle Clark, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apply 
Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Firefly Bulk Create is powered by Adobe Firefly Services, a set of APIs for generative AI tasks such as resizing assets, or swapping backgrounds, and applying the changes to thousands of pieces of content with one action.
—Joan Verdon, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Previously, the perk only applied to members of Starbucks’ loyalty program.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
Lawmakers also further loosened the rules by allowing H-1B workers to extend their visas to six years or more and to apply for permanent residency while in temporary status.
—Gabrielle Clark, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
-
Popular on Variety The tone for proceedings is set by an introductory anecdote that Ricciardi relates directly to camera, concerning a teenage masturbation mishap that left him with splinters in the head of his member.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Some 2,500 miles across the country — on the southwest coast of California — a 22-year-old college athlete could relate.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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That same year, the museum devoted $820,000 to an institutional rebrand.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
24 Jan. 2025
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There have been plenty of DNPs for Dillingham so far this season, some because coach Chris Finch is devoting more time to veterans to get the team going and some because Dillingham has had to deal with two ankle sprains already this season.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Those funds went toward identifying and responding to health emergencies and stopping disease threats from spreading across borders, according to the WHO’s website.—
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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Santa Ana winds, which are high-speed winds that blow from the mountains to the coast in California, could spread these devastating blazes further.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere in the tiny house is a third, smaller bedroom that could also be used for storage.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
19 Jan. 2025
-
More than a hundred and seventy million Americans reportedly use TikTok, with adult users spending an average of well over a half an hour on the app a day.—
Kyle Chayka,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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To counter such worries, President Roosevelt exerted tremendous effort to make the canal project an idealistic symbol of U.S. global power.—
Julie Greene / Made by History,
TIME,
22 Jan. 2025
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Far from issuing angry threats and ultimatums in public to exert pressure, Carter’s norm was to make calm, personal appeals to key leaders and listen patiently to their concerns.—
Penny Abeywardena,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
How about enforcing the 45 mph speed limit on DuSable Lake Shore Drive?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
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This may require repealing or reforming laws such as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the President authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies, and the Bank Secrecy Act, which enforces stringent anti-money laundering and financial surveillance measures.—
Susie Violet Ward,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The new rule pertains to more than 3,200 food and medicinal products that contain what is called Red 3.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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Howe, the Johnson County DA, spoke in general terms regarding police efforts pertaining to fentanyl investigations.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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After a miserable year for the run defense, Morgan is hoping to give the trenches a facelift in free agency and the draft.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2025
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On January 16, Elon Musk appeared to give the Nazi salute while on stage following the 2025 inauguration of President Donald Trump.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near apply
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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