exercise 1 of 2

noun

ˈek-sər-ˌsīz How to pronounce exercise (audio)
Definition of exercisenext
1
as in activity
energetic movement of the body for the sake of physical fitness the doctor ordered plenty of fresh air and exercise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to bother
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

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
The focus of Saturday’s planned protest was Gyanesh Kumar, the head of the Electoral Commission that’s currently in the middle of a gargantuan exercise to remove dead, duplicate and otherwise ineligible voters from its rolls. — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 Poor form during exercises like crunches can create similar strain, which is part of what Ripa picked up on. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
Diet, reducing sodium, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping well and limiting alcohol can make a real difference. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 Energy-boosting carbohydrates like potatoes prove especially valuable to those who exercise vigorously. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exercise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exercise
  1. activity
  2. practice
  3. use
  4. exert
  5. apply
  6. bother
  7. exertion
  8. training
Noun
  • For guests staying longer, the hotel can arrange activities including truffle hunts, seasonal wine harvest experiences, and tours of nearby towns and historical sites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Saks’ holiday campaign also will support Make-a-Wish through fundraising activity.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of activity
Noun
  • At one point during Thursday’s 45-minute open practice/scrimmage situation, KU head coach Bill Self corrected Rosario for passing instead of taking the open 3-pointer.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The plaintiff argues those practices reduced competition among restaurants and led customers to pay higher prices.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of practice
Noun
  • The collection combines decorative and functional objects, with each piece designed around both its use and its story.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Stiles revealed that Parton had cleared the use of the song prior to her death in August.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of use
Verb
  • Blurred boundaries Measuring global functional connectivity—how much influence each patch of cortex exerts over the rest—the team found that, when participants had their eyes closed, sensory regions lost sway while associative regions gained.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The effects of these publications were hardly only theoretical, as Italian anarchists exerted a powerful influence on labor strikes.
    — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of exert
Verb
  • Haynie may have been responding to reports specific to Syracuse, but his response applies to all colleges.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Because the workers had troubles, that's why this settlement has been applied.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines physically demanding jobs as those that require certain levels and durations of physical exertion, such as climbing, heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, standing or walking.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Adidas Running Hydration & Matcha Ritual Vest, which reimagines the traditional running vest as an on-the-go matcha kit for runners balancing exertion with recovery.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of exertion
Noun
  • In Europe, this training is crucial for helping frontline staff acquire the skills needed to advance into management and leadership positions.
    — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That store offers additional services, including dog day care, veterinary care and training, along with grooming and adoption services.
    — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of training

Browse Nearby Words

exemption
exercise
exercised
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exercise. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on exercise

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exercise

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All