The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - exercisev.

1) employ, use, apply, practise, bring to bear, put to use or effect; discharge, exert, wield, execute; utilize, effect: Try to exercise better judgement next time. The chairman exercises too much authority. 2) work out, limber up, warm up, train, drill: She exercises for an hour every day. 3) harass, annoy, irritate, vex, harry, distress, worry, concern, burden, try, trouble, perturb, disturb, agitate, make nervous, Colloq drive crazy, drive up the wall: We have been much exercised over the issue of acid rain. --n. 4) activity, workout, working-out, warm-up, warming up, callisthenics, aerobics, isometrics, gymnastics; training, drill, drilling: Exercise is good for the heart. 5) action, application, practice, performance, discharge, use, utilization, employment, execution, operation: We expect the exercise of your best endeavours.