exercise 1 of 2

noun

ˈek-sər-ˌsīz How to pronounce exercise (audio)
Definition of exercisenext
1
as in activity
energetic movement of the body for the sake of physical fitness the doctor ordered plenty of fresh air and exercise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in practice
something done over and over in order to develop skill a young piano student dutifully going through the standard finger exercises

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in use
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

exercise

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to exert
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 to practice
to do over and over so as to become skilled the only way to exercise your writing skills is to do more writing

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to use
to put into action or service commended the firefighters for exercising really good judgment in that emergency

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to bother
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 exercise
Noun
Research shows 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise four to five times a week can improve mood, Patel-Dunn told CNBC. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 In one memorable scene, Mari takes to a whiteboard to explain the destructive workings of capitalism, a lengthy, potentially didactic exercise that Okamoto transforms into an unexpectedly intimate exchange. — Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
The question is why Maryland would decline an opportunity to help more families exercise meaningful educational choice. — Claudia Nachtigal, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 Good leadership is not about exercising every power the Board possesses. — Beth Davis Sramek, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
  1. activity
  2. practice
  3. use
  4. exert
  5. apply
  6. bother
  7. exertion
  8. training
Noun
  • The deal, which includes spare parts and international orders, is subject to congressional approval and could generate $79 billion in economic activity, with Lockheed Martin self-funding at least $7 billion in program initiatives.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments discuss various aspects of maintaining health and well-being as one ages, emphasizing the importance of exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and mental activity.
    — Richard Sima, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of activity
Noun
  • The latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Act, which has been introduced to the Senate but not yet been enacted into law, seeks to establish a program for the active remediation of orbital debris as well as requiring the development of uniform orbital debris standard practices.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of practice
Noun
  • More flexible communications could help commanders make better use of available radar coverage.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Although the mattress developed some minor misshaping after a month of heavy use, Moon still thinks it’s packed with value.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of use
Verb
  • Hilton doesn’t engage in voter fraud allegations Federal authorities this week charged 28 people in California with illegally registering and casting ballots as part of a broader fight to exert more control over elections, which are run by states.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Bond yields in France, for example, ticked up to their highest levels since 2002 on Wednesday, exerting more pressure on government budgets.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of exert
Verb
  • New safety requirements apply What sets the aircraft apart is its enhanced angle-of-attack system, which Boeing plans to introduce across the 737 MAX family.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The boy was a soccer player who was enchanted by the idea of camping in the woods; Charlotte was bright and cheery, sometimes applying glitter to her father’s mustache.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • The mathematics and computer science graduate, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, launched Netflix by mailing DVDs in red envelopes to customers bothered by Blockbuster Video chain’s practices and late fees.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some people, like me, are bothered by such images but can mostly ignore them.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • During exertion tests in hot environments, co-founder Roland Washington says people wearing the device have been able to maintain core temperatures of up to 2°F lower than those without, which can make all the difference.
    — Hannah Singleton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines physically demanding jobs as those that require certain levels and durations of physical exertion, such as climbing, heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, standing or walking.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of exertion
Noun
  • The training includes mock networking happy hours and credit cards with $100 to take people out to coffee.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • To keep providers open, the federal government spent more than $50 billion on the industry, funding staff training, higher wages, protective gear and child care assistance for more families.
    — Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of training

Browse Nearby Words

exemption
exercise
exercised
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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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