Synonyms of exercise

exercise 1 of 2

noun

ˈek-sər-ˌsīz 

1

as in activity

energetic movement of the body for the sake of physical fitness

the doctor ordered plenty of fresh air and exercise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• activity
• exertion
• conditioning
• training
• workout
• gymnastics
• aerobics
• calisthenics
• trimming
• toning
• warm-up
• weight lifting
• body mechanics
• athletics
• bodybuilding
• isometrics
• physical therapy
• plyometrics
• slimnastics

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• practice
• training
• lesson
• workout
• homework
• drill
• routine
• assignment
• refresher
• review
• brushup

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• application
• usage
• operation
• employment
• play
• exertion
• reuse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disuse
• nonuse

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exert
• use
• apply
• wield
• employ
• utilize
• put out
• ply
• abuse
• misuse
• misapply

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• practice
• run over
• repeat
• refine
• drill
• perfect
• prepare (for)
• train (with)
• study
• point (for)
• rehearse
• work (at or on)
• review
• groove

3

as in to use

to put into action or service

commended the firefighters for exercising really good judgment in that emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• apply
• utilize
• exploit
• harness
• employ
• operate
• draw on
• make use of
• bring to bear
• work
• wield
• manipulate
• handle
• direct
• run
• reuse
• recycle
• cannibalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• misuse
• misapply

4

as in to bother

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy

the slightest change in travel plans is enough to get him all exercised

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bother
• disturb
• alarm
• distract
• worry
• concern
• anger
• distress
• discomfort
• agitate
• plague
• haunt
• upset
• annoy
• unsettle
• undo
• discompose
• derail
• disquiet
• ail
• perturb
• dismay
• confuse
• unhinge
• distemper
• irritate
• flurry
• weird out
• freak (out)
• hagride
• fuss
• aggravate
• bug
• put off
• embarrass
• rattle
• put out
• discourage
• frazzle
• exasperate
• harass
• get
• shake up
• pester
• pique
• chafe
• discountenance
• grate
• irk
• vex
• mortify
• rile
• nettle
• harry
• fluster
• fret
• disconcert
• bedevil
• gall
• confound
• chivy
• abash
• peeve
• faze
• demoralize
• discomfit
• jar
• dispirit
• dishearten
• daunt
• nonplus
• unnerve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compose
• calm
• quiet
• settle
• soothe
• alleviate
• allay
• assuage
• tranquilize
• pacify
• appease
• placate
• conciliate
• mollify
• propitiate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exercise

Noun

Dubai has built more than 557 kilometers of cycle tracks, with a goal of 1,000 kilometers by 2030, and the urban planning department is adding shaded walking routes to make exercise feasible for longer stretches of the year. — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

If incident protocols are vague, set a notification standard measured in days, test it with a tabletop exercise and write the same obligation into AI vendor contracts. — Stephen Pitt-Walker, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Verb

First flight of the heavier CZ-10 with an uncrewed Lanyue lander performing a lunar descent and ascent test, exercising the lander’s propulsion and guidance. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2026

But the real secret to Hegseth’s success in imposing his agenda on the Pentagon has been the unwillingness of the current Congress to exercise its Article I responsibilities or defend its traditional prerogatives. — Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026