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View synonyms for exercise

exercise

[ ek-ser-sahyz ]

noun

  1. bodily or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improvement of health:

    Walking is good exercise.

    Synonyms: gymnastics, calisthenics, activity

    Antonyms: inaction

  2. something done or performed as a means of practice or training:

    exercises for the piano.

  3. a putting into action, use, operation, or effect:

    the exercise of caution.

    Synonyms: performance, practice, application, employment

  4. a written composition, musical piece, or artistic work executed for practice or to illustrate a particular aspect of technique.
  5. Often exercises. a traditional ceremony:

    graduation exercises.

  6. a religious observance or service.

    Synonyms: ritual



verb (used with object)

, ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing.
  1. to put through exercises, or forms of practice or exertion, designed to train, develop, condition, or the like:

    to exercise a horse.

    Synonyms: school, drill, discipline

  2. to put (faculties, rights, etc.) into action, practice, or use:

    to exercise freedom of speech.

  3. to use or display in one's action or procedure:

    to exercise judgment.

    Synonyms: practice, exert, apply, employ

  4. to make use of (one's privileges, powers, etc.):

    to exercise one's constitutional rights.

  5. to discharge (a function); perform:

    to exercise the duties of one's office.

  6. to have as an effect:

    to exercise an influence on someone.

  7. to worry; make uneasy; annoy:

    to be much exercised about one's health.

    Synonyms: trouble, try

verb (used without object)

, ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing.
  1. to go through exercises; take bodily exercise.

exercise

/ ˈɛksəˌsaɪz /

verb

  1. to put into use; employ

    to exercise tact

  2. intr to take exercise or perform exercises; exert one's muscles, etc, esp in order to keep fit
  3. to practise using in order to develop or train

    to exercise one's voice

  4. to perform or make proper use of

    to exercise one's rights

  5. to bring to bear; exert

    to exercise one's influence

  6. often passive to occupy the attentions of, esp so as to worry or vex

    to be exercised about a decision

  7. military to carry out or cause to carry out, manoeuvres, simulated combat operations, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. physical exertion, esp for the purpose of development, training, or keeping fit
  2. mental or other activity or practice, esp in order to develop a skill
  3. a set of movements, questions, tasks, etc, designed to train, improve, or test one's ability in a particular field

    piano exercises

  4. a performance or work of art done as practice or to demonstrate a technique
  5. the performance of a function; discharge

    the object of the exercise is to win

    the exercise of one's rights

  6. sometimes plural military a manoeuvre or simulated combat operation carried out for training and evaluation
  7. usually plural a ceremony or formal routine, esp at a school or college

    opening exercises

    graduation exercises

  8. gymnastics a particular type of event, such as performing on the horizontal bar
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈexerˌcisable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • exer·cisa·ble adjective
  • non·exer·cisa·ble adjective
  • non·exer·cise noun
  • over·exer·cise verb overexercised overexercising
  • post·exer·cise adjective
  • re·exer·cise verb reexercised reexercising
  • under·exer·cise verb (used without object) underexercised underexercising
  • un·exer·cisa·ble adjective
  • un·exer·cised adjective
  • well-exer·cised adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of exercise1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (noun), from Middle French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercit(us) “trained” (past participle of exercēre “to train,” from ex- ex- 1 + -ercēre, combining form of arcēre “to restrain”) + -ium, noun suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of exercise1

C14: from Old French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercēre to drill, from ex- 1+ arcēre to ward off
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Synonym Study

Exercise, drill, practice refer to activities undertaken for training in some skill. Exercise is the most general term and may be either physical or mental: an exercise in arithmetic. Drill is disciplined repetition of set exercises, often performed in a group, directed by a leader: military drill. Practice is repeated or methodical exercise: Even great musicians require constant practice.
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Example Sentences

The state visit's exercise in soft power will see the visiting Qatari royals given a carriage procession along The Mall, a visit to the Houses of Parliament and a banquet at Buckingham Palace.

From BBC

Previous studies have shown that boosting ketone bodies through diet, exercise and supplementation can be good for brain health and cognition, both in rodents and humans.

The Defence Secretary John Healey said the reason for the exercise was to ensure government and industry "are capable of innovation at wartime speed".

From BBC

The vast majority of councils expressed concern about the plan in a consultation exercise carried out by Angela Rayner's housing department earlier this year.

From BBC

In doing so, he bypassed established White House procedures for exercising the broad presidential pardon power.

From BBC

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How Do You Spell Exercise?

Spelling tips for exercise

The word exercise is hard to spell for two reasons. First, it can be tempting to add an extra c to the word after the x (excercise). Second, it can be hard to remember whether the c or the s comes first in the word (exersice). 

How to spell exercise: To spell exercise, it helps to keep in mind that the c and the s appear in the same order they do in the alphabet (the c before the s). Also, there is only one c.

More About Exercise

What does exercise mean?

Exercise is energetic physical or mental effort, usually for health or betterment, such as running or doing crossword puzzles.

An exercise is an action that you do repeatedly to strengthen yourself or to get better at it. Push-ups are exercises you do to strengthen your body. Grammar exercises are often sentences you correct the grammar of to improve your understanding of grammar.

To exercise means to practice the action, as in My doctor wants me to exercise more so that I will be healthier.

Example: It has been difficult to fit in time for exercise lately.

Where does exercise come from?

The first records of the term exercise come from the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin exercitium.

While most often, we talk about exercising our bodies and minds, exercise can be used to describe many other kinds of activities. For example, when you exercise your right to vote, you put into practice or use a right that you have. When you exercise good judgment by having only one slice of cake, you are using good judgment. When you perform your duties as class president, you are exercising your duties. All of these senses relate to performing or practicing an action.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to exercise

  • exercisable (adjective)
  • overexercise (verb)
  • postexercise (adjective)
  • unexercised (adjective)
  • well-exercised (adjective)

What are some synonyms for exercise?

What are some words that share a root or word element with exercise

What are some words that often get used in discussing exercise?

What are some words exercise may be commonly confused with?

How is exercise used in real life?

Exercise is a common word most often used to talk about physical activity.

 

 

Try using exercise!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for exercise?

A. action
B. movement
C. workout
D. rest

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