exercises 1 of 2

Definition of exercisesnext
plural of exercise
1
as in practices
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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2
as in uses
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

exercises

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of exercise
1
as in exerts
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 drills
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
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 exercises
Noun
The Freedom Shield exercises aim to enhance interoperability, reinforce combined defense posture, and increase overall combat readiness, according to the US military. Soo-Hyang Choi, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026 Chair Yoga is a type of yoga that is modified to allow participants to perform all exercises seated. Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026 The ships previously took part in naval exercises hosted by India. Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 After a few exercises and some time on the elliptical bike, Flagg returned in the second quarter. Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026 Japan and Canada will start negotiations aimed at achieving a defense pact that would simplify procedures for their miliary visits, joint exercises and other operations. ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 Pick up some free weights, dumbbells or kettlebells or do bodyweight exercises. Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 6 Mar. 2026 The Dena had participated in naval exercises hosted by India before heading into international waters on its way home. Bharatha Mallawarachi, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Simulated threat exercises also improved collaboration between security teams and operational departments. Malana Vantyler march 6, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
Breathing exercises Breathing slowly and evenly can help slow an elevated heart rate, and bring a sense of calm to an agitated state of mind—plus, pausing to practice slow, deep breaths helps kids connect to, and understand, bigger emotions. Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026 For example, Congress exercises the judicial power insofar as the Senate conducts trials in the aftermath of impeachment in the House of Representatives. Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026 What the Yankees decide to do with their bench could determine whether Grichuk exercises his opt outs, as the Bombers have several other contenders for seats on the pine. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026 Such a charter could preserve a strong mayor while ensuring that the City Council selects its own presiding officer and exercises greater procedural independence. Sara Albrecht, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 Specifically, exercises that require you to stand on one leg (like split squats), control your tempo (like slow reps), and follow complex patterns (like lunges with rotation) can improve something called proprioception—your body's innate sense of positioning in space, Carbone added. Allison Forsyth, Health, 17 Feb. 2026 Taken together, the moves add an official stamp to Israel’s accelerating expansion and would override parts of decades-old agreements that split the West Bank between areas under Israeli control and areas where the Palestinian Authority exercises limited autonomy. Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 The truth is, the music industry exercises both. Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026 The state still exercises weak and ineffective oversight, and still resists much meaningful change. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises
Noun
  • In the lawsuit, Live Nation and Ticketmaster are accused of engaging in a variety of anticompetitive practices, including locking venues into long-term exclusive ticketing contracts and retaliating against rivals and venues that seek to use alternatives.
    Josh Sisco, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • In July 2025, Delfin signed agreements with three communities along the Marañón River to restore and replant 425 acres of land degraded by clear-cutting and harmful agricultural practices.
    Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Natural products inspired by organisms include GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, spider and snake venoms, and compounds from plants and fungi with potential uses in pain relief and cancer treatment.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The operation, on March 7 and 8 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, comes after two uses of anti-drone laser systems on the southern border prompted calls for Congressional investigations.
    Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Here, Beethoven exerts a compulsion for triumphant glory.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Alicia Silverstone, in her most enduring performance, plays Cher Horowitz, a popular high schooler who exerts her influence through matchmaking and giving a makeover to the new kid in town.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The statute also applies to inheritance under a will, trust and certain other financial policies.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The titular condition, which describes someone whose irises are fully or partially different colors, reportedly applies to Hevia Baillères.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Corps has adamantly refused to conduct sediment testing for PFAS, which alarms local scientists and environmentalists like Burdette.
    Patrick Sisson, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2026
  • But that's not really what alarms me, someone making money off of military advancements.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Anderson is here for the melodrama, the special lessons and the climaxes that fall flat.
    Jessica Lipsky, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • According to a press release, the book breaks down each discipline—cooking, entertaining, home organizing, collecting, and gardening—into foundational lessons and step-by-step principles to live by that will produce real results.
    Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The stretchable electrolyte can also be used in flexible batteries for medical applications.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The building’s skyway-level service center provides in-person assistance and connections to county programs, including child support applications and public benefits, with guidance from a financial navigator.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The circuit utilizes some public roads – such as Aughtie Drive and Lakeside Drive – and a parking area in its layout.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Ursa Major utilizes advanced manufacturing and flexible system architectures to develop technologies for land, air, sea, and space applications.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exercises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercises. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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