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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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
Do one complete set (on both sides for the sided exercises) from each of the three categories above at least once daily. Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026 The exercises that build a strong, defined back A balanced routine that includes strength training, cardio, and mobility can improve everything from daily function to athletic performance, while also shaping muscle over time. Ciara Lucas, SELF, 15 Feb. 2026 The carrier had already participated in at least two naval exercises with NATO partners across the Ionian, Adriatic, North and Baltic Seas, with months to go before it was scheduled to return home. Jamie Tarabay, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026 The President attended the ceremony alongside the first lady and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, honoring a 100-year-old World War II veteran and observing military exercises. Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 15 Feb. 2026 Taken individually, these trips are pragmatic exercises in economic statecraft. Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026 Simple exercises like squats, farmer’s carries, and balance work can improve strength, mobility, and reduce fall risks. Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026 Then, ease into exercises while using those tools. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2026 Venditti’s practice involves extensive on-the-ground scouting for even the smallest roles, an intense interview process, and improv exercises to get the first-timers comfortable. Nate Jones, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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 After years of cardio dominating the fitness conversation, exercises that build strength are now widely recognized as crucial to health and well-being. Currie Engel, Health, 13 Jan. 2026 The state still exercises weak and ineffective oversight, and still resists much meaningful change. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026 Congress exercises supervisory and oversight powers to call officials to testify. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026 There’s still the risk of paying him in 2027 if he gets hurt and exercises a player option, but that’s still the equivalent of a two-year deal. Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 The state exercises little control over life chances. Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 Ophelia Spencer Underwood exercises with her daughter. Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises
Noun
  • Thus, the article stressed that the Chinese navy must urgently address these risks, offering an unusually detailed proposal for a systematic crash-response plan, drawing lessons from US Navy salvage practices to improve readiness and protect sensitive technology.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Public Act 23-167, passed in 2023, called on schools to begin implementing restorative justice practices — the goal being to address problematic student behavior without resorting to punitive measures like suspension.
    Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Just because a drug has multiple uses doesn’t mean it should be denied access through insurance.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Namwali Serpell examines Toni Morrison’s uses of ambiguity.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Still, California’s much higher share of students facing these hardships and attending public schools — rather than being absorbed into private ones — exerts a downward pressure on statewide scores.
    Jill Stegman, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Its flat side can be used for outlining; its fine tip fills in sparse areas with hairlike strokes; and the broad side of the tip applies wider strokes as needed.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The certification currently applies to Longchamp’s leather goods division, the core of the business, but the assessment extended beyond raw material sourcing to encompass internal logistics, governance structures, supplier management and even event production and influencer marketing guidelines.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But that's not really what alarms me, someone making money off of military advancements.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • But what alarms him most is the silence from the business community.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Join yoga classes by the pool, head to a local golf course, or book tennis lessons on the estate.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • This holiday celebration, returning to NorthPark Center for the eighth year, will feature lion and dragon dances, special crafts and activities, book giveaways, a mini ponies meet-and-greet, Chinese calligraphy lessons, a musical performance, and more.
    Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The researchers plan to scale up the technology for larger applications and exploring partnerships with industry to bring this innovation to market.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
  • More than 600,000 federal student loan holders remain in a backlog of applications for an affordable repayment plan, the Education Department disclosed in a recent court filing.
    Annie Nova, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The filling utilizes whole lemons (except the seeds), sliced thin and macerated in sugar for several hours (or overnight) to soften and sweeten the peel, and then combined with a custard filling.
    Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The show utilizes vivid color and energetic music to encourage kids to participate in the various adventures and activities, whether that’s mimicking Danny’s dance moves, flying like an airplane, or battling the aforementioned gravity-defying goldfish.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exercises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercises. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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