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

Days began with morning yoga and consisted of one-on-one therapy sessions, emotionally exhausting group exercises, and experiential lessons like art therapy and roleplaying. —

Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 Practices such as breathing exercises, mindfulness and time in nature are frequently discussed in conversations about nervous system regulation. —

Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Taipei’s drills will simulate a scenario where China abruptly escalates one of its military exercises into an actual attack. —

Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 21 June 2026 Studies have shown that these exercises can improve sports performance and reduce injury. —

Margaret Cirino, NPR, 21 June 2026 As a result, bodyweight exercises may feel more approachable and sustainable for beginners or even people intimidated by going to a gym. —

Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 June 2026 Operating from maritime vessels offshore, BMRT conducted a series of advanced detection exercises with the positive results. —

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026 Twice-weekly episodes are hosted by Getty gallery educator Lilit Sadoyan and guide listeners through breathing exercises and meditation. —

Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 China has held major military exercises near the island. —

ABC News, 14 June 2026

Verb

Zellweger gained nearly 20 pounds to play the character, who drinks often and exercises intermittently. —

Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 June 2026 But Collins, who's been in the upper chamber since 1997 and exercises significant power as chair of the Appropriations Committee, has fended off a number of challenges from Democrats in previous cycles, including in 2020 when Joe Biden won the state. —

Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises

Noun

Over the years, several Parsi women in India have mounted legal challenges to such practices.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
The subscription service focuses on personalizable wellness practices for the mind and body that can easily fit into users’ day-to-day lives.

— Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026