apply vs distribute

apply and distribute both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
apply	No	No	Yes	No
distribute	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, distribute is a hypernym of apply; that is, distribute is a word with a broader meaning than apply:

Other hypernyms of apply include administer, allot, deal, deal out, dish out, dispense, dole out, lot, mete out, parcel out, shell out.

apply (verb)	distribute (verb)
ask (for something)	cause to become widely known
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing	to arrange in a systematic order
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose	distribute or disperse widely
coat, cover or smear a surface with	cause to be distributed
give or convey physically	administer or bestow, as in small portions
avail oneself to	give to several people
ensure observance of laws and rules	release
apply oneself to	be mathematically distributive
be pertinent or relevant or applicable	be distributed or spread, as in statistical analyses
be applicable to; as to an analysis	spread throughout a given area