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
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 yourself, only exert yourself, bear up against irresistible fate.
From Henrietta Temple A Love Story by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield
Exert thy charms, seek out the stern protector, And sooth his savage temper with thy beauty; Spite of his deadly, unrelenting, nature, He shall be mov'd to pity, and redress thee.
From Jane Shore A Tragedy by Rowe, Nicholas
Exert immediate efforts wider dispersion teaching virgin territories establish urgently required administrative headquarters marking consummation recent notable achievements dear Indian believers in teaching field.
From Dawn of a New Day by Shoghi Effendi
Exert your reason, you may be able to detect the laws by which things appear and disappear, but even your reason will not show you anything divine.
From Christianity As Mystical Fact And The Mysteries of Antiquity by Collison, Harry
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.
