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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 This week’s upcoming Santa Ana winds will provide one of the first major tests of whether Los Angeles has applied those painful lessons. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 It's estimated about 25% of the sunscreen people apply to their skin washes off while swimming or wading in the ocean. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 The seven-step facial includes a cleanse; a professional biostimulating step applied to the skin with no needles; lifting; nano-infusion with a no-puncture tip; a cold biocellulose mask; LED, and finishing serums and SPF. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 After working as an intern and on the football staff at KU, Potts was asked to apply for an open role with the Royals. — Pj Green october 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apply

Verb

Benski and Clifford are currently in dispute with Vice over payments related the sale of Pulse.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
Vollmann was also pessimistic, relating that feeling comes from more than America’s current political issues, but also from the world’s environmental problems.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of relate

Verb

The power of people All of this knowledge has accumulated because people value birds and have devoted enormous time and effort to understanding them.

— Amy L. Scarpignato, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Beyond his commercial success, Appignani devoted his later years to civic engagement, philanthropy and promoting humanistic values.

— Sergio R. Bustos, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of devote

Verb

Thatâ€™s $280 billion from firms like Singaporeâ€™s Bitdeer, Australiaâ€™s Graphinex, Belgiumâ€™s UCB, South Koreaâ€™s Korea Zinc, and Japanâ€™s Isuzu Motors, spread across more than 345 projects.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The company’s new Aura software measures hive health, pollen counts, and pesticide prevalence across its 2,200 hives spread around more than 70 cities.

— Drew Robb, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of spread

Verb

Hickel also described how the production used virtual reality to scout digital environments and simulate different seating positions inside an IMAX auditorium.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Their role becomes clear at 21-, 36- and 52-Across, where the clues solve to partial entries, which can be completed only by using the entry spaces of those dash clues.

— Sam Corbin, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Hamas could restrict the system to exert pressure internally, the official said, while Netanyahu could restrict it to pressure Hamas.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Eventually, Alonso will want his side to exert control over opponents rather than embrace this Russian-roulette brand of football.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of exert

Verb

The judge also found the city liable because Harris had final authority to enforce the public-participation policy during council meetings.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
SpaceX agreed to testify earlier this week after the council threatened to have its subpoena enforced by a judge.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of enforce

Verb

In one case, California Volunteers delayed giving federal auditors records pertaining to three grant awards for six months.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Anyone with any relevant information pertaining to the incident is asked to contact the Bloomfield Police Department.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of pertain

Verb

Most questions were friendly and business-centric, but Marshall also gave his opinion on several polarizing issues, including federal immigration enforcement, tariffs and the war in Iran.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Four turboprop engines power the aircraft, giving it the performance needed for demanding military transport operations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026