apply oneself

verb

Synonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.

“His parents wish he had applied himself better while he was in school, but he couldn't give a toss.”

Similar
strive
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Meanings

verbapply oneself (third-person singular simple present applies oneself, present participle applying oneself, simple past and past participle applied oneself)

present singular third person applies oneself · participle present applying oneself · participle past applied oneself · past applied oneself

  1. idiomaticSynonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.

    His parents wish he had applied himself better while he was in school, but he couldn't give a toss.

    Synonyms: strive

Synonyms & antonyms

verbSynonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.

Similar
strive
Also see
strivetry
Cite this entry
APA

apply oneself. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apply%20oneself

MLA

“apply oneself.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apply%20oneself. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “apply oneself,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apply%20oneself.

Source: apply oneself on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.