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 sources of divergence are rooted in the somewhat similar but subjective methodologies applied by each organization.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the North Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the CA Weather Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 19 Feb. 2025
That order, however, did not apply to agencies Congress set up to be independent of the White House.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the North Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2025
Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the CA Weather Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 19 Feb. 2025
That order, however, did not apply to agencies Congress set up to be independent of the White House.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply
Verb
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During the sketch, Thompson called out the fact that Darius and Murphy's Morgan, who wore a shimmery red jacket and a comically large gold medallion, seemed like they might be related.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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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.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Artist’s Muse and Sonic Healer: Alice Coltrane, a jazz virtuoso who devoted much of her life to a spiritual journey, is a beacon for today’s artists.—
Vidhya Nagarajan,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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While fallen comrades like Norm Macdonald are feted throughout the night, the In Memoriam is devoted instead to sketches that have aged horribly.—
Joe Berkowitz,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The search for nationhood spread far and wide, becoming a central organizing principle of the world and one of its most potent political ideologies.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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Waves would eventually have spread that resulting sediment along the shore, forming a beach that'd have been strikingly familiar to us.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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New York has three days off in the first 15 days of the season, meaning the team won’t need to use a fifth starter until April 8 (the 11th game) or a sixth starter until April 16 (the 18th game).—
Will Sammon,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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Then, during Donald Trump’s first term, Michael remembers a meeting when a seasonal worker came out as transgender and asked the staff to use he/him pronouns.—
Madison Pauly,
Them,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The phenomenon exerts a peculiarly deranging force, and until recently Americans remained oblivious.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Elon Musk The world’s richest man spent over $200 million to get Trump elected, and his Department Of Government Efficiency has exerted vast influence, rapidly slashing agencies like USAID and accessing the government’s payment and HR systems.—
Joe Walsh,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The estate enforced those rights, leading to an agreement from Wells to include a credit that acknowledges Crichton as the creator of the series.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
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Instead, Washington should be even more aggressive in enforcing global rules and norms.—
Richard Nephew,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Contest.—
TIME for Kids,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
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But for cases within the agency’s purview — pertaining to large financial services companies — the complaint is routed to that company, which typically has 15 days to respond.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The location is atypical for its purpose, given its proximity to major sources of water, which left the tomb badly damaged from flooding not long after Thutmose II’s death.—
Francesca Aton for ArtNews,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2025
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This warrant does not give agents permission to search and seize private property.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apply. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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