physical therapy

noun

Definition of physical therapynext
as in activity
US, medical the treatment of a disease or an injury of the muscles or joints with massage, strengthening movements, heat, etc.

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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 physical therapy Here, Varghese coordinates their physical therapy, builds their braces, fabricates their prostheses, and operates on their limbs, should things come to that. — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 Research suggests stretching and other physical therapy approaches can help restore movement in patients experiencing it, but recovery time can vary from person to person; some patients undergo month of treatment before noticing any improvement. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026 Still in daily physical therapy and carefully rationing his energy, Steiner eyes the next test — working consecutive games. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 He was discharged from rehab earlier this month and is continuing physical therapy at home. — Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for physical therapy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical therapy
  1. activity
  2. physiotherapy
  3. conditioning
  4. workout
  5. exercise
Noun
  • The crude market remains dominated by state producers, major energy companies, commodity merchants and large industrial consumers whose activity dwarfs that of individual traders.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • On the same morning, a short drive away, a therapist who asked to be identified as Bre was also patrolling, having woken up to an alert on her phone about ICE activity at her daughter’s former elementary school.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of activity
Noun
  • There are also sessions of Cranio Sacral Balance, EmSella pelvic-floor activation, Exomind brain stimulation, lymphatic drainage, and physiotherapy.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Heverin is undergoing daily physiotherapy to improve her ability to walk and receiving speech therapy at least twice a week.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of physiotherapy
Noun
  • The extreme heat pushed up air conditioning electricity demand, while heavy storms simultaneously dealt a blow to power supplies in parts of the country.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Detainees had said they were left without air conditioning during some of Miami’s hottest days.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of conditioning
Noun
  • Rowing for a cause Tip of the sailor’s cap to the Round Lake Park Police who have been giving a rowing machine a workout this month to help Special Olympics.
    — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Wigham is with him daily, taking him to workouts and PT appointments.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of workout
Noun
  • Those payloads give crews a visible way to assess where training rockets land during live-fire exercises.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The potential benefits may also extend beyond a single workout for leaders who maintain a consistent exercise practice.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of exercise

Browse Nearby Words

physical therapists
physical therapy
physician
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Cite this Entry

“Physical therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/physical%20therapy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on physical therapy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about physical therapy

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