exercise 1 of 2

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
Self-care strategies can include regular exercise, a joint-friendly diet, and assistive devices. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 26 Jan. 2025 For dogs, the website recommends breeds that don't shed too often, aren't vocal, can tolerate being alone, need moderate exercise and are friendly to people. Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
These presidential powers strike at the very heart of our government — they are more typically exercised by a king or a dictator. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025 But borrowers should exercise caution because a HELOC’s variable interest rate can rise fast. Nerdwallet, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for exercise 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • One of the easiest ways to do this is by investing in a pair of supportive walking shoes that are versatile enough to be worn in a variety of activities.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Forbes: What are your thoughts on the flurry of activity from the new administration?
    Steven Ehrlich, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The union believes some of the company’s health care proposals are unlawful and amount to unfair labor practices.
    Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025
  • That issue cropped up during the company's normal practice of transferring official White House social media accounts to new control when a presidential administration changes, the company said on Wednesday.
    Katie Paul, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The days and nights are filled with drinking and recreational drug use — and all appears well until Jess gets bitten by a snake and disappears soon after.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
  • This appears to be its first use of a new policy to criminally investigate state and local officials who do not comply with Trump's directives.
    Sarah N. Lynch, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But, sadly, both can exert enormous pressure on strands, easily breaking the hair.
    Philipp Wehsack, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Trump has moved to place loyalists in high-level positions in a bid to exert control over a Justice Department that has investigated him for years.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The 30% promo also applies to Mexico City and Cancún, The carrier transported more than 1.2 million passengers in 2024 and expects that to increase to 1.7 million in 2025.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The memo suggests that officials prioritize immigrants who have been in the country longer than a year but who have not applied for asylum.
    Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Theresa’s nose has been bothering her and one of her children has asthma.
    Simmone Shah, TIME, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Ludvig Aberg, who shared the second-round lead with Griffin, was bothered by illness throughout the round.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Some levels of pain or discomfort, such as those created by the exertion of hard physical exercise, can have positive associations.
    Conor Purcell, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Muscles bulging and soaked in sweat, his face is etched in a grimace of extreme exertion.
    Sarah Shephard, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • He’s already been in Arizona, working out with the club’s staff and applying new biometric data to specialize his training ahead of his first season in the majors.
    Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Former Department of Transportation inspector general Mary Schiavo pointed out that training air traffic controllers is both expensive and rigorous, with about a third of trainees washing out.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near exercise

Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

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