1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in applies
to put into action or service
commended the firefighters for exercising really good judgment in that emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in alarms
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the slightest change in travel plans is enough to get him all exercised
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exercises
Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
Venditti’s practice involves extensive on-the-ground scouting for even the smallest roles, an intense interview process, and improv exercises to get the first-timers comfortable.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2026
As did the fact that our professors were clearly having a wonderful time, joining in our creative-writing exercises and drawing lessons with gusto.
—Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Practicing certain breathing exercises, known as breath work, engages our psychosomatic responses by regulating oxygen flow and mental focus.
—Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
Resistance exercises use opposing force to muscle contraction to stimulate building muscle.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Texas State pitcher Madison Azua simultaneously groaned and laughed while recounting the near-torturous exercises the program put her and teammates through.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Create a personalized routine Strength training can either involve body-weight exercises—like push-ups, squats, tricep dips, planks, and lunges—weightlifting, or both.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
These exercises create strong contractions and deep stretches in the pecs, both of which are important for muscle development.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
After years of cardio dominating the fitness conversation, exercises that build strength are now widely recognized as crucial to health and well-being.
—Currie Engel, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
The state still exercises weak and ineffective oversight, and still resists much meaningful change.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Congress exercises supervisory and oversight powers to call officials to testify.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
There’s still the risk of paying him in 2027 if he gets hurt and exercises a player option, but that’s still the equivalent of a two-year deal.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The state exercises little control over life chances.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Ophelia Spencer Underwood exercises with her daughter.
—Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
The production of opium and heroin historically flourished there, largely because of lawlessness in border areas where Myanmar’s central government exercises only minimum control over various ethnic minority militias, some of them partners in the drug trade.
—CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
Both exercises work the muscles of the lower body—namely, the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, hip stabilizers, and core, Higgins said.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
Venditti’s practice involves extensive on-the-ground scouting for even the smallest roles, an intense interview process, and improv exercises to get the first-timers comfortable.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2026
As did the fact that our professors were clearly having a wonderful time, joining in our creative-writing exercises and drawing lessons with gusto.
—Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Practicing certain breathing exercises, known as breath work, engages our psychosomatic responses by regulating oxygen flow and mental focus.
—Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
Resistance exercises use opposing force to muscle contraction to stimulate building muscle.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Texas State pitcher Madison Azua simultaneously groaned and laughed while recounting the near-torturous exercises the program put her and teammates through.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Create a personalized routine Strength training can either involve body-weight exercises—like push-ups, squats, tricep dips, planks, and lunges—weightlifting, or both.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
These exercises create strong contractions and deep stretches in the pecs, both of which are important for muscle development.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
The truth is, the music industry exercises both.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
After years of cardio dominating the fitness conversation, exercises that build strength are now widely recognized as crucial to health and well-being.
—Currie Engel, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
The state still exercises weak and ineffective oversight, and still resists much meaningful change.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Congress exercises supervisory and oversight powers to call officials to testify.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
There’s still the risk of paying him in 2027 if he gets hurt and exercises a player option, but that’s still the equivalent of a two-year deal.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The state exercises little control over life chances.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Ophelia Spencer Underwood exercises with her daughter.
—Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
The production of opium and heroin historically flourished there, largely because of lawlessness in border areas where Myanmar’s central government exercises only minimum control over various ethnic minority militias, some of them partners in the drug trade.
—CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercises
Noun
-
Her practices all week, Glenn said, have been great.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the number of cillíní and burial sites uncovered, the practices surrounding these unconsecrated grounds reveal a complex emotional landscape marked by grief, shame, and trauma, according to the press release.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It’s often used in conjunction with acetaminophen or other drugs that can damage the liver and is often prescribed by doctors for these uses.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Companies are aggressively rolling out AI applications based on these models for real world uses.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alicia Silverstone, in her most enduring performance, plays Cher Horowitz, a popular high schooler who exerts her influence through matchmaking and giving a makeover to the new kid in town.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Still, California’s much higher share of students facing these hardships and attending public schools — rather than being absorbed into private ones — exerts a downward pressure on statewide scores.—
Jill Stegman,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But ultrarunning officials worry WADA may not be considering how point two—the ability to cause harm—applies to the unique demands of the sport.—
Dan England,
Outside,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Avoiding paying the tax for this season delays when the Magic could get hit with the repeater tax, which applies to teams that have been above the league’s tax line for at least three of the previous four seasons.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But what alarms him most is the silence from the business community.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
-
While Cherry is more versed at keeping her rage simmering just below the surface, Laura struggles to hide her anguish and disgust, which alarms those closest to her.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Venus’s lessons for exoplanets.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
While there are good energies available to assist you, there are also challenging energies that could function as tests or lessons.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Any administrative tasks associated with a course of study or big trip, like applications or visas, could become overwhelming.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In one example, FedEx has consolidated nine sort processes into a single streamlined workflow, simplifying clearance processes by using digital self-service and AI to replace hundreds of legacy applications.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ecological and economical practicality By replacing fossil-fuel boilers with a system that utilizes electricity when prices are at their lowest, companies can finally align their ecological goals with economic practicality.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Aristidou utilizes Danae, whose controlling dad suffocates her with his seemingly overbearing rigidness, as a counterpoint to the other extreme of fatherhood.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exercises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercises. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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