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 Word Forms

• nonexertion noun
• self-exertion noun
• superexertion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exertion¹

First recorded in 1660–70; exert + -ion

Synonym Study

See effort.

Example Sentences

Chronic fatigue syndrome leaves many people completely drained of energy and struggling to think clearly, and their symptoms often worsen after mental or physical exertion -- a reaction known as post-exertional malaise.

Read more on Science Daily

His reservations have been borne out by the council’s unrelenting anti-Israel exertions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Celtic faded badly in the second period after their midweek European exertions as Hearts filled the home crowd with belief that the Old Firm stranglehold can be broken.

Read more on Barron's

The economy has shifted away from jobs requiring direct physical labor toward more sedentary jobs owing to computerization and mechanization, making age-based disability standards that assume jobs require physical exertion outdated and ripe for reform.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It has meant more drills, more running, more exertion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times