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exertion

American  
[ig-zur-shuhn] / ɪgˈzɜr ʃən /

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.


Related Words

See effort.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of exertion

First recorded in 1660–70; exert + -ion

Explanation

Exertion is effort. Exercise requires physical exertion. Listening to great jazz requires mental exertion. What kind of exertion does jazzercise require? Perhaps too much. Ex– means out. Exertion means energy is coming out — so much so that when you’re done, you may feel exhausted. The opposite of ex- is in-, as in inertia — something you need exertion to overcome.

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Vocabulary lists containing exertion

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.

Exertion kept their vascular networks coursing with warm blood; when they paused, cold seeped into their chests.

From National Geographic • Dec. 24, 2020

Exertion alone seemed to bind the two sides together.

From BBC • May 19, 2016

Beal will now begin the league-mandated “Return-to-Participation Exertion Protocol” and will be cleared to play once he has remained symptom-free during each step of the process.

From Washington Times • Jan. 26, 2016

Exertion made him gasp for breath, but he did not worry about this until he awoke, usually between 1 and 3 a.m., terrified because he thought he was suffocating.

From Time Magazine Archive

He took the Boston schooner Exertion at Twelve League Key on December 17th, 1821.

From The Pirates' Who's Who Giving Particulars Of The Lives and Deaths Of The Pirates And Buccaneers by Gosse, Philip

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