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
This questionnaire takes your email address, then asks questions about your weight, height, exercise levels, and weight loss goals. Kate Tully Ellsworth, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026 Give your baby tummy time throughout the day, let your toddler walk instead of riding in their stroller, and create opportunities for your older child to get plenty of exercise. Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Researchers say saunas challenge the body in a way similar to exercise. Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026 Pezeshkian’s message, seemingly recorded in a hurry, underlined the limited powers exercised by the theocracy’s leaders over the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls the hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting Israel and other countries. Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • The innovation enables an autonomous drone to record important operational and sensor data directly onto a blockchain during flight, creating a secure and tamper-resistant record of its activities.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Fuel prices in Asia have surged in recent days as processors reduce activity rates due to a shortage of crude, while state-of-the-art refineries in the Middle East cut production as storage runs out.
    Nicholas Lua, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • With a fine equivalent to a few days’ revenue and some marginal changes to its business practices, Live Nation will, more or less, plow ahead as the dominant force in live music.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The Panthers then signed him off the Cowboys’ practice squad in November 2025.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This phase would most likely have included the use of cruise missiles, stealth bombers, and drones to hit air defense installations and command centers.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Many returning Chinese scholars brought their Western training and methodologies back to the Chinese academy, prompting university officials to find ways to categorize—and make use of—their skills.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Iran may have positioned the Houthis as a regional player that can exert pressure on Iran’s neighbors, but the Houthis have always put their own interests first.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
  • In past interviews, Carvalho has denied exerting influence over the procurement process that led to the selection of AllHere.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • According to a Treasury Department license document, the authorization applies until April 11 and applies to Russian oil that was loaded onto vessels before March 12.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The timing is critical because fertilizers are applied early in the crop cycle and help determine yields later in the year.
    Nur Hikmah Md Ali, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That didn’t bother the three roaches crawling on the floor by a carbon dioxide tank inside the storage room behind the office.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Other clips don’t even bother rendering a proper baby.
    Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To win an Olympic gold medal is the stuff of elite athletes’ dreams, the culmination of years of arduous training, extreme physical exertion and grueling qualifying competitions.
    Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to be fit and intelligent, seeking out tasks that require physical and mental exertion.
    Brett Tingley, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In January, the FBI led an active shooter training with Temple Israel's clergy and staff members, according to a post on X from the bureau's Detroit field office.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Brown also struck a partnership with OpenAI to offer AI training certifications.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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