1
as in relates
to have a relation or connection
does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devotes
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 spreads
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uses
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 enforces
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 applies
The automatic discount also applies to all purchases made on the Free People app—no minimum purchase required.
—
Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
Even once the standard is set, the 2027 deadline applies to creating the rule, not putting the technology in cars right away.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
The partnership applies to media such as static image music videos.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
The saying also applies to clients.
—Domenic Rom, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
That same principle applies throughout the school day.
—Krista Spurgin, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2026
The same idea applies to digging up bulbs.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Based on the potential of positive and negative messaging, Nguyen offers good advice that applies broadly to social media use.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
The same incentive structure applies here.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
Even once the standard is set, the 2027 deadline applies to creating the rule, not putting the technology in cars right away.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
The partnership applies to media such as static image music videos.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
The saying also applies to clients.
—Domenic Rom, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
That same principle applies throughout the school day.
—Krista Spurgin, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2026
The same idea applies to digging up bulbs.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Based on the potential of positive and negative messaging, Nguyen offers good advice that applies broadly to social media use.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
The same incentive structure applies here.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applies
Verb
-
In David Sington’s 2015 documentary of the same title, Yarris himself relates his tale, keeping those of us unfamiliar with the outcome of his epic struggle to clear his name in taut suspense until the very end.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Considered narrowly, statesmanship relates primarily to politics and government.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Illinois devotes significant resources to recruiting overseas to bring in their large international contingent — including Croatian twin centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić and freshman forward David Mirković.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
McGrath devotes a whole chapter to lunch.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For Monday, the severe weather threat spreads northeast and stretches across the Mississippi Valley up into the Midwest.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Then, in the next neuron, a dendritic plateau potential causes a widespread voltage change that spreads across the entire dendrite.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lab uses seawater to wash the aquariums.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For example, exercise helps lower triglycerides – a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy, but can raise your risk of heart disease when levels are too high.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The devastating, almost sadistic hold Ruben exerts over the mostly masochistic Niall is gripping — but hard — to watch.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Empirical research on the relation between sources and journalists has often referred to the tango metaphor to ask who exerts greater influence in shaping the news.—
Florian Wintterlin,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In other words, the market enforces its own quality control.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The platform that routes content to the right provider, enforces terminology, tracks usage, maintains audit trails, and integrates with CI/CD pipelines and CMS platforms becomes the product.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Trinity development pertains to two parcels of land located between the BSG facility and New Rutherford Avenue, and on New Rutherford Avenue, which are owned by the Boston Planning Department, the lawsuit states.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That also pertains to our commitment to become a Spanish-English bilingual museum.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And that gives Ukraine a huge win globally.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Simmons is right that the glasses are super-thin, which gives them a delightful hand feel no matter the beverage.—
Jennifer Zyman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applies. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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