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
The exercises began April 20 and will continue through April 26. Paula Wethington, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 Actually, think of it as an exercise. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The result looks a bit like the internet sensation the Crooked Man, who exercises his left trapezius and nothing else. Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Even exercising aboard the ISS could be dangerous if someone’s grip were to slip. Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • Lucinda Guthrie, head of Mergermarket, said global private equity buyout activity declined 14% year on year in the first quarter, as geopolitical uncertainty, private credit market jitters and scrutiny on AI from investment committees create a more challenging environment for investors.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Before dismissing this activity or just trying to get through it, recognize your tendency to view nearly everything as a situation from which to extricate yourself as quickly and painlessly as possible.
    Charles Yu, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Princess Elizabeth, far left, was pictured with the rest of the Challenge Cup swimming team ahead of practice at the Bath Club in 1939.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Mapping that terrain is a social practice.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Detectives booked Avon Owens, 18, and another unidentified 18-year-old for murder and the use of a firearm during the commission of a murder on April 10, 2026.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Elegant folding design for easy storage in bags, backpacks or purses with a lightweight yet durable frame for everyday use.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Central to the case is how far a president can go to exert their influence over the Fed.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Vince still exerted autocratic control.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Conventional warfare, in which bombs are dropped, shipping channels are mined, and the Geneva Conventions apply more broadly, tends to be time-limited (even if the conflict endures for a long period of time).
    Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Catcher Lauren Cauthen applied the tag on the strike from Gonzalez, who is committed to Washington.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Fuqua and Logan can’t be bothered to figure it out.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Jessica Scott, an exercise physiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, worked on early prototypes for NASA, anticipating that astronauts would be vulnerable to rapid muscle atrophy without physical exertion.
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Amid such a tumult of exertion and indulgence, the art of directing may seem like an afterthought or a footnote to the sheer volume of creative work that occurs even when the camera isn’t rolling.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One of the soldiers is also accused of transferring to an Iranian foreign agent materials from his military training related to fighter jet systems, as well as documentation of facilities and areas within a military base.
    Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The Chargers also will have Bud Dupree and Kyle Kennard competing for snaps when training camp begins in late July.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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