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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
On Saturday, Picot was helped across the graduation stage by Brittany McCormick, an exercise physiologist at Sheltering Arms. Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 Regular exercise can help maintain your strength and coordination, which can lower your fall risk. Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 May 2026
Verb
As workers shifted from manual to white collar labor, more people began exercising recreationally, to keep their bodies healthy despite sedentary work. Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026 The deadline to exercise or decline an option is June 29. Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • Trinidad and Tobago conducts significant oil and gas exploration activity both on land and in shallow waters, and is one of the Caribbean’s largest producers, according to official information from Trinidad’s Ministry of Energy.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
  • Don’t miss other free activities like mocktail classes and horticultural tours of the extensive gardens.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • After the high ankle sprain and torn ligaments, she was cleared to return to practice in three months.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026
  • In the first two years under Canales, the Panthers have only had two QBs on the active roster and have kept an additional one on the practice squad — the team opting to use the additional game day slot for an extra lineman, or defender, or someone who can contribute on special teams.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • The weeds can be pulled, hoed or treated with herbicides that permit use near trees.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • But Rubio said if use of the bases is going to be denied, as Spain did for the Iran war, then the United States would have to reconsider its support for NATO.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • We were warned by President and Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower, along with United States Marine Major General Smedley Butler about the virulently toxic, corruptive and destabilizing influences exerted upon our government by the military industrial complex.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • Industry groups, meanwhile, are quashing proposals for higher taxes or stricter regulation by exerting pressure on lawmakers and cozying up to power players in the worlds of philanthropy, medicine, and science.
    Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Some portion of eligible people are probably discouraged from applying at all, believing the lottery system to be rigged or pointless.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • Exclusions include clearance items and gift cards, and the discount is applied to the subtotal before tax and shipping/handling at checkout with the promo code.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • There were other stories that bothered him more, like a post by a writer who recounted a chaste one-night stand with Tea Party activist and Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell that described her pubic hair.
    Frank DiGiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
  • However, in the wild, the algae are the ocean’s introverts, and only glow when they are bothered, like jolted by a crashing wave or the hull of a passing boat.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the day, the wearable tracked his physiological responses to various environments, from the stress of a live television broadcast to the physical exertion of a workout.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
  • The extra playoff exertion was palpable, and their teammates on the bench leaped to their feet in excitement.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • The Browns are expected to hold a quarterback competition in training camp among Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel, with rookie Taylen Green selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • Advocates argue retained physical advantages still created disparities female athletes could not overcome through training alone.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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