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 learning process involves no textbooks, no exercises, no memorization, no facts. —

Kristen Roupenian, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 Blood and urine tests, Breathalyzers and field sobriety exercises, meanwhile, can help show if a driver is under the influence after a crash or traffic violation. —

Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 Apr. 2026 Agility exercises, strength training and balance challenges are all key components of a program designed to maximize ambulation. —

Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026 Deputies said Saturday that Madrid was taken into custody after failing field sobriety exercises at the scene. —

Sergio Candido, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026 Taipei, Taiwan — In the face of growing Chinese military aggression, Taiwan has increased defense spending, extended mandatory conscription and revamped its combat exercises, signaling its determination to fight off a potential invasion. —

Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 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, 4 Apr. 2026 On court, off court, icebreaking exercises. —

Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026 The exercises below are broken up across those three categories. —

Jim Diehl Cscs, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026

Verb

Organized crime exercises de facto control over vast swaths of the country, where the discovery of clandestine graves is commonplace, and thousands of corpses remain unidentified in morgues and public cemeteries. —

Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026 While the client is alive, Trinity exercises power of attorney. —

Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 During one of the sobriety exercises, Woods repeatedly moved his head despite instructions to keep it still, requiring deputies to correct him several times, according to the report. —

Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises

Noun

In October, attorneys suing ICE for its arrest practices questioned the now-former head of ICE’s Denver field office about a prior Post analysis of the Berkeley data.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Families should consider making a nutritious snack available an hour or so before sports practices so children with that earlier lunch time have energy available to fuel activities.

— Dr. Sarah Kinsella, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026