1
as in relating
to have a relation or connection
does your rule about calling home apply to me as well?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devoting
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 spreading
to put a layer of on a surface
apply the ointment liberally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in using
to put into action or service
apply the laws of motion to this physics problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in exerting
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively
apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in enforcing
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 applying
The review process is expected to take 18 months and is part of a two-step process, which also includes applying for an operating license.
—
Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Girod noted that by applying for relief, Guerra Sandoval was giving the government all her personal information — even fingerprints.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Video shows the shootout and the aftermath, including fellow deputies pulling a bloodied Rivera to safety and applying tourniquets.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Postpone applying for Social Security benefits early; wait until 70, if possible, to maximize income.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Following this biological model, scientists at the institute have also succeeded in applying a similar surface structure to the back of the cover glass of photovoltaic modules using a vacuum process.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
The betting has drawn bipartisan criticism for inviting insider trading but the president seems to be a big fan, applying a light regulatory touch and helping the industry expand.
—Bernard Condon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
His four-year rookie contract expired at the end of the season, and the Cowboys retained his rights by applying the franchise tag.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
So make sure that your credit is in good shape before applying, and be sure to shop around for rates and lenders besides just the one that currently holds your mortgage to see how affordable their options are as well.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Girod noted that by applying for relief, Guerra Sandoval was giving the government all her personal information — even fingerprints.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Video shows the shootout and the aftermath, including fellow deputies pulling a bloodied Rivera to safety and applying tourniquets.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Postpone applying for Social Security benefits early; wait until 70, if possible, to maximize income.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Following this biological model, scientists at the institute have also succeeded in applying a similar surface structure to the back of the cover glass of photovoltaic modules using a vacuum process.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
The betting has drawn bipartisan criticism for inviting insider trading but the president seems to be a big fan, applying a light regulatory touch and helping the industry expand.
—Bernard Condon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
His four-year rookie contract expired at the end of the season, and the Cowboys retained his rights by applying the franchise tag.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
So make sure that your credit is in good shape before applying, and be sure to shop around for rates and lenders besides just the one that currently holds your mortgage to see how affordable their options are as well.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying
Verb
-
Some of them are old systems of knowledge, ways of relating the body to fertility, death, and survival.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
By the 1970s, editors tried to distinguish their op-ed pages from others, but most adopted the common practice of devoting most, if not all, of their op-ed pages to outside voices.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Nothing will ever undo the original sin, and devoting your life to ruining someone else’s is a loss for both of you.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Experimentation is spreading across Asia.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Reznik said while the San Gabriel River system and adjacent spreading grounds, stretching from Irwindale to Long Beach, work exceptionally well, capturing 90% of the local runoff that percolates into underground basins for later use, that’s not true of some other waterways in the county.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sadie Benning and Michael Almereyda have found ghostly, evocative textures using Pixelvision, a Fisher-Price toy camera from the late 1980s.—
Dennis Lim,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Redick worked with James’ trainer Mike Mancias to ensure his 41-year-old star’s durability in the final aughts of the game – the four-time NBA MVP eventually playing a team-high 45 minutes while using any opportunity to sink to the floor for a breather.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The researchers found that months after returning to Earth from space, astronauts had trouble exerting the correct amount of force to properly grip an object.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Completing an easy, accomplishable responsibility lets workers still feel productive without exerting too much mental effort.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In April 2023, Doral updated its code to include language enforcing valet parking violations in lieu of the standard parking regulations section, strengthening oversight of improper parking practices.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
New York joins California in suing over Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's efforts to tighten up the rules for which immigrants can qualify to get a commercial driver's license and make sure the states are properly enforcing the existing rules.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Seven months later, in November, Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which called for the Justice Department to make public all its files pertaining to Epstein.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The company will also release data pertaining to a phase-three trial for its lupus drug litifilimab in the fourth quarter, which should also give Biogen stock more room to run.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Why then hesitate at giving people information about themselves that will actually change their life for the better?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Zamora supports giving middle and high school communities the option to have an officer on campus at least part-time.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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