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

excuse or relieve from, spare from, let off, absolve, except,
Colloq let off the hook: The doctor exempted Becker from
strenuous activity.
--adj. 2 exempted, free, liberated, released, excused,
relieved, spared, let off, excepted, immune, Colloq off the
hook: It seems that Becker is now exempt from doing any work.
exemption n. exception, immunity, freedom, release, impunity,
dispensation, exclusion: This document confirms his exemption
from jury service.
exercise v. 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.
exert v. 1 exercise, use, utilize, put to use or work or effect,
employ, wield, bring to bear, bring into play, expend: Please
exert your influence to have his conviction quashed. 2 exert
oneself. attempt, try, endeavour, make an effort, apply oneself,
strive, do one's best, work, strain, struggle, toil, push, drive
(oneself), go all out, give one's all, Colloq knock oneself out,
cudgel one's brains, beat one's brains out, do one's damnedest,
Slang bust a gut: If Peter exerted himself a bit more, we might
see some results.
exertion n. action, effort, striving, strain, work, struggle, toil,
drive, push, diligence, industry, assiduity, assiduousness,
sedulousness, sedulity, Colloq US stick-to-it-iveness: By
considerable exertion, we finished on time. He was tired after