exercise 1 of 2

Definition of exercisenext
1
2
as in practice
something done over and over in order to develop skill a young piano student dutifully going through the standard finger exercises

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3
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the observation that the best exercise for losing weight is the exercise of one's ability to say no to food

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exercise

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to exert
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively a senator who consistently exercises his clout in Congress to get pork barrel projects for his state

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2
as in to practice
to do over and over so as to become skilled the only way to exercise your writing skills is to do more writing

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3
as in to use
to put into action or service commended the firefighters for exercising really good judgment in that emergency

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exercise
Noun
Pass a permit-to-carry course, including a live shooting exercise. Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026 During the exercise, the MQ-20 used a live Anduril Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensor. New Atlas, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
And then a lot of the interventions that actually have the biggest impact are things that all of us can do today, like exercising, sleeping, and making the right dietary choices. Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 27 Jan. 2026 Pardoning could show this capacity to greatest effect when exercised to stay an execution, a penalty then widely in use. Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • Several vehicles that stopped behind her appear to belong to federal agents, based on activity observed in other videos.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The sneakers have a stretchy mesh upper material that provides airflow during activity and minimizes friction, according to the brand.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • That judicial warrant is a court order, said Ian Macdonald, an attorney and partner in the labor and employment practice of Greenberg Traurig LLP.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The strike is based on an unfair labor practice charge filed by the National Union of Healthcare Workers against the two Kindred hospitals.
    Pat Maio, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The reason this is especially tough to consider is that AI has a dual-use effect.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Human trials are expected next as the technology moves closer to real-world use.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The administration is also looking at how to exert further pressure on Cuba, which is going through its worst economic crisis in many decades, to hasten regime change.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Suzuki was best known for his investigations into the Unification Church, a Korean religious movement that had exerted significant influence in Japan since the nineteen-sixties—and that maintained direct ties with Abe and his political party.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • During vetting by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, refugees are required to show they were persecuted or face persecution in their home countries and, once in the US, must apply for green cards a year after admission.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The designation only applies to the sign, not the attached building, which houses Americana Pizza.
    Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Zamiri doesn’t really bother filming fans rushing Charli’s car or whatever—this has been the quintessential mock-pop-doc scene since A Hard Day’s Night but these days the fans rush you online.
    Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Aquarius' biggest struggle in 2026 Don’t bother trying to control the outcome.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Sudden exertion, such as moving hundreds of pounds of snow after being sedentary for several months, can put a big strain on the heart.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
  • In addition to the exertion of shoveling, frigid temperatures can also strain the heart.
    Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Law enforcement experts who reviewed the videos for CNN said the officers’ use of deadly force likely stemmed from lack of training or a failure by the agents to follow it during the heated encounter.
    Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • After holding families at makeshift sites, including on the campus of a Border Patrol training facility in New Mexico, the administration opened the South Texas Family Residential Center.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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