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

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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
For an extra dose of exercise, check out the Monon Rail Trail, a former rail line that stretches from Indy to the northern suburbs. Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 While finger exercises may temporarily engage the brain—and even improve performance on certain cognitive tasks—that’s quite different from preventing Alzheimer’s. Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 3 July 2026
Verb
The 30 picks would earn a total of $843 million in playing salary over the next four seasons if all of their options were exercised. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 June 2026 That doesn’t include veteran Pat Connaughton, whose contract has a club option that must be exercised by June 29. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • Officials accused her in the letter of violating the university’s time, place and manner policy, which sets rules on free speech activities on campus.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • As the escape-room activity kicks off — the guests have 30 minutes to find Aesha’s crew — the boys find plenty of opportunity to make insinuating jokes about tying up the girls, some (Coop) more wholesome than others (Luke).
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The boy died during practice runs at Mason Motocross in Mason County on Sunday morning, CBS affiliate WOWK reported.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • The Chiefs’ 2026 tight end room is crowded, so Pline’s most likely path could be finding a home on the team’s practice squad.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Beyond some areas just being warmer, population, geography and infrastructure also make a difference in air conditioning use and adoption.
    Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • That pushed back on foreign assertions that China lacks the ability to exert its authority over the waters, the account said in a post.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • El Niño shifts global weather patterns A naturally occurring climate cycle, El Niño is already exerting effects along the equator, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, during his June 17 WeatherWest podcast.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Wiener asked for amendments to the bill during the bill’s review and in the committee meeting, including that the lifetime ban only be applied to Tier 3 members.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The ruling establishes the legal standard going forward and does not change the law that applied previously.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • For all the chatter about his choices in handbags, Haaland doesn’t seem remotely bothered.
    Teddy Brown, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • To stay safe, people should stay indoors whenever possible, keep well-hydrated, and take frequent breaks from any exertion.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 30 June 2026
  • Out comes a guttural groan, her exertion a tight whip cracking open a black hole of pain.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Video footage of the dogs at Dingo Doggies Campus shows the pups walking on treadmills, training in the gym and relaxing on beds while booms and fireworks sounds can be heard in the background.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • In early 2024, Oura rolled out Resilience, a 14-day model that reframes stress as a training load.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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