exercise 1 of 2

noun

ˈek-sər-ˌsīz How to pronounce exercise (audio)
Definition of exercisenext
1
as in activity
energetic movement of the body for the sake of physical fitness the doctor ordered plenty of fresh air and exercise

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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
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Research shows 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise four to five times a week can improve mood, Patel-Dunn told CNBC. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 In one memorable scene, Mari takes to a whiteboard to explain the destructive workings of capitalism, a lengthy, potentially didactic exercise that Okamoto transforms into an unexpectedly intimate exchange. — Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
For decades, the United States favored an international order that forbade wars of conquest, upheld freedom of the seas, maintained a generally open global economy, and allowed populations to exercise democratic rights, even if autocracies remained. — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026 The appeals court’s opinion issued Wednesday, which supplemented an opinion filed on July 15, found that Milian blocked prosecutors from exercising their discretion, which includes seeking the death penalty. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
  1. activity
  2. practice
  3. use
  4. exert
  5. apply
  6. bother
  7. exertion
  8. training
Noun
  • Japan considers China's rapidly growing military activities in and around Japan, including in the Pacific Ocean, as a threat and has fortified its southwestern region with longer-range missiles and interceptors in recent years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But in those who used it more addictively, social reward activity peaked before puberty’s onset.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of activity
Noun
  • The latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Act, which has been introduced to the Senate but not yet been enacted into law, seeks to establish a program for the active remediation of orbital debris as well as requiring the development of uniform orbital debris standard practices.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of practice
Noun
  • More flexible communications could help commanders make better use of available radar coverage.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Although the mattress developed some minor misshaping after a month of heavy use, Moon still thinks it’s packed with value.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of use
Verb
  • Hamas could restrict the system to exert pressure internally, the official said, while Netanyahu could restrict it to pressure Hamas.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, Alonso will want his side to exert control over opponents rather than embrace this Russian-roulette brand of football.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of exert
Verb
  • New safety requirements apply What sets the aircraft apart is its enhanced angle-of-attack system, which Boeing plans to introduce across the 737 MAX family.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The boy was a soccer player who was enchanted by the idea of camping in the woods; Charlotte was bright and cheery, sometimes applying glitter to her father’s mustache.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Gee, who used to pop into fraternity parties unannounced to keep tabs on them, said he is not bothered by the reintegration of the three formerly rogue organizations.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • This is a dense picture—there’s almost too much to unpack, if you can be bothered to care about any of it.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • During exertion tests in hot environments, co-founder Roland Washington says people wearing the device have been able to maintain core temperatures of up to 2°F lower than those without, which can make all the difference.
    — Hannah Singleton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines physically demanding jobs as those that require certain levels and durations of physical exertion, such as climbing, heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, standing or walking.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of exertion
Noun
  • The training includes mock networking happy hours and credit cards with $100 to take people out to coffee.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • To keep providers open, the federal government spent more than $50 billion on the industry, funding staff training, higher wages, protective gear and child care assistance for more families.
    — Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of training

Browse Nearby Words

exemption
exercise
exercised
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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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