exercise 1 of 2

Definition of exercisenext
1
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

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
In an era when being a touring band feels less like a rite of passage and more like an exercise in financial survival, one legendary Chicago hot dog stand is doing its part to keep the city rocking. Jimmy Jellinek, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026 Some colon cancer cases are caused by genetics, but many are caused in part by other factors like diet, exercise and obesity. Eva Flowe april 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Gomez said she’s seen Weber multiple times while exercising in the neighborhood. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Combat systems are not fully exercised at this stage, as the focus remains on engineering performance and seaworthiness. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • Recreational activities have changed, but the spiral from contender to cellar remains unchecked.
    Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • If suspicious activity is detected, users receive support from fraud resolution specialists who help contact agencies, prepare documentation, and dispute unauthorized accounts.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Hooper is a 31-year-old free-agent addition, Woerner is not a threat in the passing game and Simon has been a practice-squad player throughout his time in Atlanta.
    Josh Kendall, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.
    Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Expanding urbanization and the use of traditional lighting of buildings, highways and residential neighborhoods are blinding us to an eternal beauty.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Proponents of citizen journalism saw the control exerted by a few professionals over the news agenda as problematic and hoped that bringing more contributors to the process would lead to news coverage that was more representative of the general public’s issues and concerns.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Conventional solutions often involve applying external pressure in the tens of megapascals or utilizing complex coating processes that increase manufacturing costs and reduce packaging efficiency.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
  • His church also applied financial pressure before the United Methodist Church conference struck down longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Fuqua and Logan can’t be bothered to figure it out.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Multiple firefighters were treated for exertion while battling a fire at a duplex in Norwich on Thursday.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Players begin the return-to-play process with light exertion — such as riding a stationary bike, jogging, agility work and non-contact basketball drills — and each step is followed by another neurological examination.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Of the 11 nuns, three are dedicated caretakers for the farm, including Laudeña, who has training in veterinary assistance and examines the rabbits every morning.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Mamula noted that the findings provide a scientific basis for potential policy changes, permitting reforms, and workforce training.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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