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
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 applying
Regularly applying sealer to your grout and keeping the area clean is your best chance at preventing mold and mildew growth along your grout.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
My hair feels brittle, my skin is dry from the cold weather, and my makeup is not applying right.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
Artists begin by sculpting the figure in clay before carefully applying layers of paint designed to give the skin a natural glow.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
They are not being discussed as serious contenders, though two sources said applying would do their internal reputation no harm.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Cronin has the talent, his messages continue to resonate, and yet, there’s been a disconnect between applying practice and scouting reports to the game, primarily on defense.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Rather than applying to the lash line with a thin applicator tip, Typology opts for a spoolie wand to brush on like a mascara.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
However, $500 million in homelessness funds approved last year will still be available to local governments — as long as the state determines cities and counties applying for the money have made sufficient progress in alleviating the crisis.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Wise candidates applying for a high-profile job know of this risk.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applying
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Hildebrandt was a family and couples counselor who founded ConneXions and had made a name for herself by relating the practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to her clients' issues.—
-
This is a time which reminds us that relating is a skill.—
Verb
-
Then there is the steady stream of profiles on tech billionaires joylessly devoting themselves to maximizing their lifespan.—
-
From the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal to CNN and even Fox News, nearly all the country’s major newsrooms are in the thrall of this vision of politics, devoting untold amounts of energy to technocratic commentary and polling.—
Verb
-
South Florida doctors are seeing more people with cough, fever and other flu-like symptoms as a rapidly spreading influenza strain circulates across the country this winter.—
-
Rob became an executive producer of Lyrics From Lockdown and the show traveled across the country, spreading awareness of Williams’ story.—
Verb
-
Privacy and partners Lenovo built Qira using a hybrid AI architecture.—
-
Kansas City officials approved the initial funding for the temporary facility in October, using funds from the public safety sales tax.—
Verb
-
If rates rise unexpectedly, those low initial payments can balloon, exerting pressure on household budgets just as the broader economy absorbs the impact.—
-
Ice plains can prompt fast retreat because as the glacier thins, the ice starts to rise up and water pushes underneath into its crevasses, exerting pressure and causing large slabs to break off — in a process called calving.—
Verb
-
Police would definitely have their hands full enforcing that.—
-
The green fee was also supposed to apply to cruises and their passengers, too, which makes up a large part of the Hawaii tourism scene, but a federal judge recently blocked Hawaii from enforcing the levy on the floating behemoths, according to CBS.—
Verb
-
People at work have made rude comments pertaining to my hearing.—
-
In one of his first acts as mayor, Zohran Mamdani on Thursday revoked nine executive orders his predecessor, Eric Adams, issued after his federal corruption indictment, a move that undid actions pertaining to everything from antisemitism and immigration to New York City’s horse carriage industry.—
Verb
-
If Carolina is thinking about the big picture, giving Coker the extra year, perhaps valued as a first- or second-round tender, is just getting ahead of a formality.—
-
Luckily, Madewell is giving us something to celebrate this season with a surprise sale on cold-weather clothing essentials with prices starting as low as $20.—
Cite this Entry
“Applying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applying. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share