apply
verb (used with object)
to make use of as relevant, suitable, or pertinent.
was applying
-
past progressiveof apply.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I was applying for maybe five or six jobs a day sometimes.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
When I was applying for jobs at different news outlets after graduating from college, pretty much all of them wanted to hire a reporter with more experience and more published clips than I had.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026
Just as El Tri was applying more pressure in the first half, Bukayo Saka broke away down the right flank and sent a cross to Bellingham, who scored in the 36th minute.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
While the popular girls strutted through the halls with their effortless Pinterest-inspired updos, I was applying brown eyeshadow to my scalp to disguise the sparse spots.
From Slate ● May 23, 2026
She had bare legs and was applying bandages to her blistered toes.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
