Apply and Strain

Apply

Apply verb - To occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention.

Usage example: Sam applied himself to writing thank-you letters to everyone who'd helped sponsor him for the charity walk

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Strain and apply are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Strain" instead a verb "Apply".

Strain verb - To devote serious and sustained effort.

Usage example: the whole department is straining to complete the project before the deadline

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Apply and strain are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Apply" instead a verb "Strain".

Nearby Words: strained, straining, strainer

thanks	apply thanks	strain thanks
amount	apply amount	strain amount
technology	apply technology	strain technology
bit	apply bit	strain bit
Other words: measures, amounts.

This could of course apply to the villain, for many of the same reasons (well, presumably not the strain of constantly having to save people, but certainly the stresses of dealing with the superheros and law enforcement would be an issue).

Source: Heroic Fatigue
Of course, you don't just strain against each other with brute force when this happens; you immediately feel where the pressure is going and then apply a technique the defeats strength with weakness or weakness with strength.

Source: Useful Notes / European Swordsmanship

Cite this Source

Strain and Apply. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 07, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/apply/strain

Apply & Strain. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/apply/strain>.

Strain or Apply. 2016. Accessed August 07, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/apply/strain.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "apply" and "strain" have occurred on timeline