exert
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action.
to exert every effort.
-
to put (oneself ) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.
verb
-
to use (influence, authority, etc) forcefully or effectively
-
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.
Determined to exert power and raise its profile, Local 99 went on strike against L.A.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Nobody knows how many, but it doesn’t take too many for it to exert a lot of leverage.
From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026
The White House certainly views space as another arena for the US to exert its dominance.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
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 • Mar. 28, 2026
The star would, however, continue to exert the same gravitational force on the spaceship, which would continue to orbit the black hole.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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.
