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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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exertsimple
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exertssimple
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have exertedperfect
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has exertedperfect
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am exertingprogressive
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are exertingprogressive
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is exertingprogressive
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have been exertingperfect progressive
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has been exertingperfect progressive
Past
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exertedsimple
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had exertedperfect
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was exertingprogressive
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were exertingprogressive
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had been exertingperfect progressive
Future
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”
Explanation
Exert basically means to put forth effort to do something. For example, when you exert yourself in a workout, you can really feel the burn in your muscles. The Latin verb exserere — with its derivative form exsertus, which is the source of our word — means to "put forth." That's where exert gets its meaning of physical force — consider that when you try hard at something, you put forth effort to do it, you push yourself. But exert can refer to other ways you "push": you exert your influence to convince others to think your way; when one nation exerts its power on another; and gravity exerts its force on us, holding us down on earth.
Vocabulary lists containing exert
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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.
As the Congress of Revolution moved to adjourn, Keynoter Dimitroff urged "Exert your efforts with cunning!"
From Time Magazine Archive
Exert thy power, O swift and strong, Bring back the lady lost so long, For time and place, O thou most wise, Lie open to thy searching eyes.”
From The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Griffith, Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin)
Exert thyself with all heart and soul so that it may continue and be stable and constant until blessed results may ensue therefrom, for without firmness and steadfastness no matter shall prove effective in existence.
From Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas by `Abdu'l-Bahá
Exert every effort to acquire the various branches of knowledge and true understanding.
From A Compilation on Bahá’í Education by Universal House of Justice
Exert thyself in studying the Persian language in order that with perfect eloquence and fluency thou mayest talk, read and write.
From Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas by `Abdu'l-Bahá
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.
