Apply and Use

Apply

Apply verb - To put into action or service.
Usage example: apply the laws of motion to this physics problem

Use is a synonym for apply in employ topic. In some cases you can use "Use" instead a verb "Apply", when it comes to topics like activity, application, utilize, utilise. popular alternative

Use

Use verb - To put into action or service.
Usage example: I will need to use the large hammer for this project

Apply is a synonym for use in employ topic. You can use "Apply" instead a verb "Use", if it concerns topics such as utilize, exercise, consume, utilise. popular alternative

Nearby Words: useless, useful, used, usefulness, using

Common collocations

technique apply technique use technique
power apply power use power
force apply force use force
name apply name use name
Other words: knowledge, term, time, spell, technology, method, tactics, times, methods, skills, techniques, powers, weapons, abilities.

Both words in one sentence

  • Video Game / They Bleed Pixels The game supports and even suggests a controller be used, but the game is difficult enough for this trope to apply even if you do use one.
  • Useful Notes / Brits with Battleships Their recruiting campaigns focus on their toughness and exclusivity: they used to use the slogan "99.9% need not apply".
  • Vancian Magic Some of the remakes use the Mana Meter instead but the learning restrictions still apply.
    Source: Vancian Magic
Cite this Source
Use and Apply. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/apply/use
Apply & Use. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/apply/use>.
Use or Apply. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/apply/use.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "apply" and "use" have occurred on timeline