How to Use apply in a Sentence

apply

verb
  • We applied the ointment to the cut.
  • I washed my face and applied fresh makeup.
  • Fertilizer was applied to the lawn every two weeks.
  • After applying a thin layer of paint to the wall and letting it dry, apply another coat.
  • You must have a high school diploma for this job. High school dropouts need not apply.
  • For further information, apply to the address below.
  • I applied in writing to several different companies.
  • Don’t apply the brakes to slow down.
    — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Maresco novices need not apply.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The same amount should then be applied to the neck and ears.
    — Kate Donnelly, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Next, apply a coat of clear gloss on top to seal in your look.
    — Rachel Burchfield, harpersbazaar.com, 10 June 2023
  • Once the rest of the hair is done, go back and apply bleach to the roots.
    — Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Jan. 2023
  • So why not apply it to your sandals?
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The law applies to ads in any medium.
    — ABC News, 9 June 2026
  • The same logic applies to my loan.
    — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
  • If your flight is one of them, the current rules still apply.
    — Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022
  • This applies if there are two or more people present at the event.
    — Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025
  • If desired, apply a sealant to keep stains away longer.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The same amount is applied across the country.
    — Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Does the same apply to potting soil?
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The same is thought to apply to birds, but with males living longer.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Which races does the system apply to?
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 1 June 2026
  • The age at which the earnings test no longer applies has changed as well.
    — Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Rules don’t apply if election was stolen.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The teams that best apply it, advance.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 May 2026
  • And yes, some context applies here, too.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The same applies to your business.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • This same rule applies to bedding.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
  • If those are owned and maintained by the city, city and state laws apply.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
  • The same applies to handbags, too.
    — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 9 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apply.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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