exercises 1 of 2

Definition of exercisesnext
plural of exercise
1
as in practices
something done over and over in order to develop skill a young piano student dutifully going through the standard finger exercises

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exercises

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of exercise
1
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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2
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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3
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 exercises
Noun
In that same study, the soleus push-up, non-weight-bearing resistance activities, and stretching exercises were all found to have the potential to significantly improve glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and vascular function in those unable to perform traditional weight-bearing exercise. Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2026 The Plank Knee Touch is more rehab-focused than other core exercises, but difficulty can be ramped up with a few easy adjustments. Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026 The yoga platform looking out over the Himalayan range through lofty pines gives a fresh resonance to the concept of a mountain pose asana and to bhramari, honey-bee breathing exercises taken with the actual insect community humming vibrantly around the ears. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 The exercises often encourage being more vulnerable and present during real-life conversations. Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 The exercises are focused on political decision-making and don't involve armed forces, government agencies or other assets in the field. ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Strength training and core exercises can help preserve muscle mass, support bone density, improve posture, and overall function as you age. Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 23 Apr. 2026 That includes calisthenics, working with resistance bands, bodyweight exercises like squats and lunges, jumping rope, and of course lifting dumbbells, kettlebells, or barbells heavy enough to challenge you. Holly Carter, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
The result looks a bit like the internet sensation the Crooked Man, who exercises his left trapezius and nothing else. Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Relaxation exercises Stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and tensing and relaxing muscle groups can calm the nervous system and help patients feel more in control of their symptoms, says Moss. Mark Marino, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises
Noun
  • The Buckeyes spent 15 spring practices trying to fill holes and develop young talent to fill the void created by NFL attrition.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Last fall, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which has been used to counter racially discriminatory election practices.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The wet wiping cloth wasn’t being kept in sanitizing solution between uses.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The bill also contains regulations on the uses of geolocation data, facial recognition technology and surveillance pricing tools.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The devastating, almost sadistic hold Ruben exerts over the mostly masochistic Niall is gripping — but hard — to watch.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Empirical research on the relation between sources and journalists has often referred to the tango metaphor to ask who exerts greater influence in shaping the news.
    Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The automatic discount also applies to all purchases made on the Free People app—no minimum purchase required.
    Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Even once the standard is set, the 2027 deadline applies to creating the rule, not putting the technology in cars right away.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Whether that future excites or alarms fans, the law—not nostalgia or tradition—will determine who suits up in March.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The development of Moltbook, with AI bots forming their own social media, alarms him.
    Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • That preparation included lessons in calligraphy, horseback riding, piano and Regency dancing.
    Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • There are lessons to be learned from the more niche running brands that are increasingly showing up at the smaller (but equally crowded) marathon weekends.
    Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Beginning July 1, the agency will take on a more limited role focused on coordinating the region’s rehousing system, including managing data, helping coordinate how people access services and leading applications for annual federal funding.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • So, 30 applications out of the millions of different pieces of paperwork that come to USCIS.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Heating utilizes pellets made from wood offcuts from local forestry programs that would otherwise be thrown away.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The collaboration utilizes two Strategic Partnership Projects and a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to turn fusion physics into industrial applications.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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