apply vs follow

apply and follow both are verbs.

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

As verbs, follow is a hyponym of apply; that is, follow is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than apply:

apply (verb)	follow (verb)
ask (for something)	behave in accordance or in agreement with
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing	keep informed
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose	keep to
coat, cover or smear a surface with	follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
give or convey physically	grasp the meaning
avail oneself to	imitate in behavior; take as a model
ensure observance of laws and rules	perform an accompaniment to
apply oneself to	to travel behind, go after, come after
be pertinent or relevant or applicable	travel along a certain course
be applicable to; as to an analysis	follow in or as if in pursuit
	keep under surveillance
	choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
	to subscribe to someone's updates on social media
	to be subscribed to updates from another user on social media
	act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes
	be the successor (of)
	follow with the eyes or the mind
	work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function
	accept and follow the leadership or command or guidance of
	adhere to or practice
	be later in time
	come after in time, as a result
	be next
	to bring something about at a later time than
	to be the product or result
	come as a logical consequence; follow logically