APPLY Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

apply

verb

ə-ˈplī

Definition of apply

as in to relate

to have a relation or connection does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to spread

to put a layer of on a surface apply the ointment liberally

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to use

to put into action or service apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

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as in to exert

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding

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as in to enforce

to carry out effectively a police officer applying the law

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of apply Immediately after applying, my skin looked softer and more hydrated—but to be fair, any good moisturizer can give you that instant gratification. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026 The California Department of Education clarified that a waiver the district received only applies to the 80% staffing rule and does not extend the three-year spending deadline, meaning unexpended funds revert to the state. — Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Facebook's attorneys have argued in subsequent court filings that the state's consumer protection laws don't apply to people in New Mexico who weren't using the platform at the time. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Despite its lengthy history of imprisoning Americans on questionable charges, Russia has not faced the designation, which was applied to Iran in February and Afghanistan in March. — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply

Verb

Philbrick relates all this less as history than as a stage play.

— Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
The project also reflects the increasing importance of reliable manufacturing capacity in industries that depend on sophisticated electronic, sensing and space-related technologies.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of relate

Verb

Having survived Auschwitz, Eger devoted her life to helping Vietnam veterans and others confront trauma, guilt and grief.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Sound Moves to the Foreground Seminci also devotes a major retrospective to the role of sound in cinema.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of devote

Verb

Infrastructure on this scale needs a dedicated body that can keep pace with the technology and draw on the expertise already spread across existing agencies.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Nigeria’s health minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, said authorities had found no evidence that the virus had spread into communities.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of spread

Verb

All three said West Point appears to be circumventing the judge's ruling by using a different justification to continue to enforce its speech rules.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Behind the scenes, Muse uses a collection of digital notes and instructions to guide its personality, actions and memory, all of which can be reviewed, edited and deleted.

— Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Hilton doesn’t engage in voter fraud allegations Federal authorities this week charged 28 people in California with illegally registering and casting ballots as part of a broader fight to exert more control over elections, which are run by states.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Bond yields in France, for example, ticked up to their highest levels since 2002 on Wednesday, exerting more pressure on government budgets.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of exert

Verb

Different views on the topic The Justice Department says its actions are intended to enforce federal voting laws and protect citizens’ ballots from dilution.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Environmentalists have expressed concerns, however, that the law won’t be enforced against Pérez under the country’s conservative National Party, of which Zambrano is a member.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of enforce

Verb

While that news pertains to an individual’s potential tax bill, Meta’s quarterly report shows just how low the company’s tax bill might be.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
As the noise around college football continues to get louder pertaining to what is transpiring at Texas right now for Steve Sarkisian.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of pertain

Verb

The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
This year, the company completed its purchase of Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Her Universe from Sycamore Partners, giving it more than 3,000 stores across North America.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026