apply
verb
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
“use your head!”
“we only use Spanish at home”
be pertinent or relevant or applicable
“The same laws apply to you!”
“This theory holds for all irrational numbers”
ask (for something)
“He applied for a leave of absence”
“She applied for college”
apply to a surface
“She applied paint to the back of the house”
“Put on make-up!”
Synonymsput onbe applicable to; as to an analysis
“This theory lends itself well to our new data”
Synonymslend oneselfgive or convey physically
“She gave him First Aid”
“I gave him a punch in the nose”
Synonymsgiveavail oneself to
“apply a principle”
“practice a religion”
ensure observance of laws and rules
“Apply the rules to everyone”
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
“He applied this racial slur to me!”
apply oneself to
“Please apply yourself to your homework”
Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University