EXERCISES Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

exercises 1 of 2

noun

plural of exercise

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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Relevance

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

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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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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as in applies

to put into action or service commended the firefighters for exercising really good judgment in that emergency

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as in alarms

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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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

South Metro Fire Rescue's dive team, which was conducting training exercises nearby, responded within minutes. —

Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 7 June 2026 Evolving threats from drones and AI In January, thousands of officials involved in World Cup security gathered for exercises simulating crowd surges, vehicle attacks and mass shootings. —

Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026 Both track movement throughout the day, a range of different exercises, sleep duration and stages, and stress levels. —

Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 4 June 2026 Researchers defined strength training as exercises using weights or body weight, such as press ups, squats and lunges. —

Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 4 June 2026 Cardio exercises like running, jumping rope, and kickboxing, require strong support in some places and free airflow in others. —

India Roby, Glamour, 4 June 2026 Body weight exercises and resistance bands work too, and are a practical entry point for anyone newer to lifting. —

Allison Palmer updated June 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026 Researchers defined strength training as exercises using weights or body weight — things like pushups, squats, lunges, and traditional weightlifting. —

Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 June 2026 The exercises build on the science of self-awareness that Tasha Eurich reveals about strengthening both internal and external self-awareness. —

Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Verb

The state is the country acting as a political unit and imposing its will by means of government bureaucracy, the military, and any other entity that exercises power on behalf of the country. —

Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 If LaVine exercises his $49 million player option for next season, the Kings are projected to have a team payroll of about $225 million, which would put them well over the NBA’s luxury tax threshold of $201 million and above the second apron of $222 million. —

Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026 The shooter Stephane Cardinale, veteran of runways and red carpets on every continent that has them, exercises his fine eye for notable off-duty folk just being themselves here. —

Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 The vessel is expected to participate in the upcoming Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercises off the coast of Hawaii later this year. —

Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026 Chapter amendments narrowed the scope considerably, giving the RAISE Act a cleaner threshold case than SB 53, but the cost analysis turns almost entirely on how the oversight body exercises rulemaking authority, a structural risk the bill does not constrain. —

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 15 May 2026 Whether or not the mayor exercises that power is subjective, Bounds said. —

Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026 The result looks a bit like the internet sensation the Crooked Man, who exercises his left trapezius and nothing else. —

Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Relaxation exercises Stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and tensing and relaxing muscle groups can calm the nervous system and help patients feel more in control of their symptoms, says Moss. —

Mark Marino, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises

Noun

More than a third of US skincare practices now offer exosome skincare, a cellular-level treatment that promises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

— Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
The summit is an in-person gathering focused on real-world wellness practices.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 June 2026