exertion

[ ig-zur-shuhn ]

noun

1. vigorous action or effort:

   physical and mental exertion.

   Synonyms: strain, activity, attempt, struggle, endeavor

2. an effort:

   a great exertion to help others.

3. exercise, as of power or faculties.
4. an instance of this.

Other Words From

• nonex·ertion noun
• self-ex·ertion noun
• super·ex·ertion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exertion¹

First recorded in 1660–70; exert + -ion

Synonym Study

See effort.

Example Sentences

Health and safety programming that focuses on topics such as heat exertion, concussions, mental health and nutrition also will be available to athletes through this partnership.

From Washington Post

It uses my performance, perceived exertion tracking, and heart rate over time to calculate those.

From Fortune

And, for us, because so much of our exertion is upper body, that’s the part of us that’s sort of, like, shaken and fatigued.

From FiveThirtyEight

It takes time, money, and emotional exertion to overcome identity theft.

From Fortune

Most of them don’t even require much exertion or time on your part.

From Search Engine Watch

They never procure them without exertion, and they never indulge in them without apprehension.

From The Daily Beast

Such an exertion can range from bringing Muslims closer to the faith to fostering social cohesion.

From The Daily Beast

His campaign smile usually seemed the product of considerable exertion.

From The Daily Beast

The preparation for thus remembering numbers without effort is the only exertion required.

From Project Gutenberg

It needed only an exertion of will for the soul to hurl the body ashore as wind drives paper; to waft it kite-fashion to the bank.

From Project Gutenberg

He again sank, and it was only after great exertion that the brave sailors succeeded in rescuing him from a watery grave.

From Project Gutenberg

When in the car if you find the exertion of talking painful, say so frankly; your escort cannot be offended.

From Project Gutenberg

Every exertion was necessary to make the poor farm pay for the extra hand employed.

From Project Gutenberg