exert
Americanverb (used with object)
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to put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action.
to exert every effort.
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to put (oneself ) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.
verb
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to use (influence, authority, etc) forcefully or effectively
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to apply (oneself) diligently; make a strenuous effort
Other Word Forms
- exertion noun
- exertive adjective
- nonexertive adjective
- superexert verb (used with object)
- unexerted adjective
- well-exerted adjective
Etymology
Origin of exert
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin ex(s)ertus, past participle of exserere “to thrust out,” from ex- ex- 1 + serere “to connect, join together”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their large size means the fund can exert a lot of pressure on the S&P 500 and introduce a noticeable amount of market volatility.
From MarketWatch
But since decisions are made by consensus at the WTO, exerting pressure on this issue could be a way for India to gain concessions elsewhere.
From Barron's
Or they could be just to exert more bargaining pressure on Tehran.
From BBC
Reverting to that approach against Spurs allowed them to pick moments in which they exerted energy, attacking the box decisively when spaces opened up – as a more naturally counter-attacking side.
From BBC
"No one cares about us", Najdi lamented, calling on "everyone who can to exert pressure to stop this barbarity".
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
