exercise 1 of 2

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

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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
Her programme consisted of single-leg stability exercises, jumps and landings, as well as reactive drills to prepare her for the next big step — running. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 12 July 2025 Incorporating these exercises into a gym routine is also a great way to prevent muscle loss, according to Mosca. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
Indonesia exercised its right to lodge a formal appeal to the Appellate Body, knowing full well that a ruling that settles the dispute was impossible. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 July 2025 My lab is currently working to quantify how much pollution a person breathes in while exercising in smoky conditions, based on their exercise intensity, exercise duration and local particulate counts. John C. Quindry, The Conversation, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
Noun
  • Unlike other 501c3 organizations, churches are not required to file 990 forms disclosing financial information, leadership and activities.
    Tiffany Li, ABC News, 15 July 2025
  • During times of stress or illness, such as recovering from surgery, fighting infection, or intense physical activity, glutamine levels deplete faster.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • This was a common practice in British rule, as seen with the Irish tenant farmers, as well as in Great Britain’s dominant involvement in the slave trade.
    Tanya Talaga July 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
  • The act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, prohibited discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes that disqualified many African Americans from voting in the post-Civil War era South.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
  • That bed, paired with her Disney Princess TV, gets the most use.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • Given that Republicans enjoy a 88-62 advantage in the House and a 19-11 majority in the Senate, which includes one vacancy, Republicans will likely exert their will in both chambers, said Cal Jillson, a 30-year political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 18 July 2025
  • What To Know Zandi, who has this year sounded several alarms about the health and trajectory of the U.S. economy under President Donald Trump, said his concerns were raised by persistently high mortgage rates, which had exerted pressure on several aspects of the housing market.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The formula was applied to the target amounts that were distributed in January.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
  • Any employee can apply for this benefit, making homeownership achievable for the entire staff.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • This means that some people might not bother using them.
    Ben Coxworth July 26, New Atlas, 26 July 2025
  • But one aspect of his robberies bothers him to this day.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • Take a break: Avoid strenuous activities to minimize physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
  • People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children were advised to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • The Cleveland Browns are just five days away from the start of training camp, and ultimately closer to an answer about who their starting quarterback will be in 2025.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • Powered by a $70M partnership with NVIDIA, the university created the AI Across the Curriculum initiative, training faculty and launching interdisciplinary AI degree tracks.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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