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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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

The exercises below are broken up across those three categories. —

Jim Diehl Cscs, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026 This unique training chair supports over 20 exercises, including back extensions and glute work, and is ideal for building core strength. —

Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026 During one set of exercises in May, a group of Ukrainian drone operators was invited to play the red team, pretending to be NATO’s adversaries. —

Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all adults do at least two days of muscle strengthening activities per week, such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises like Pilates or yoga. —

Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 27 Mar. 2026 Previous military exercises involving MEU have seen the spectacle of attack helicopters in the skies, troops on the beach and huge assault ships in the water. —

Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026 Students participated in roleplay exercises to learn how to address antisemitism and Rabbi Mark Rose, regional director of Southern NCSY, addressed the teens and their parents about the impact of JSU on Jewish teens today. —

Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026 Wearable devices already track sleep, monitor heart rhythms, and guide breathing exercises. —

Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 So compared to no-impact forms of movement—like cycling or swimming—low-impact exercises can deliver some important bone-boosting benefits. —

Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

The streamer is also expected to engage in talks for a larger commitment with the NFL when the league exercises its option to reopen its media rights contract after the 2029-30 season. —

Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026 Limited exercise Maduro Guerra also claimed that his father exercises every day. —

María Santana, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026 Strength training exercises two to three times per week. —

Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026 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 The mayor exercises veto authority and plays a central role in committee assignments and the flow of legislation. —

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises

Noun

The film directed by Vivian Sorenson and Jonathan Nastasi invites viewers to reevaluate the current American food system which has achieved massive scale, delivery of cheap calories to consumers and immense profits to mega corporations but at the expense of healthy food and sustainable practices.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026
Sessions span multiple yoga styles (vinyasa, yin, restorative, kundalini), meditation practices, breathwork, sound healing, personal development workshops, outdoor mindfulness experiences and Yoga Nidra before bedtime.

— Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026