exert

[ig-zurt]

verb (used with object)

1. to put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action.

   to exert every effort.

2. to put (oneself ) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.

exert

/ ɪɡˈzɜːt /

verb

1. to use (influence, authority, etc) forcefully or effectively

2. to apply (oneself) diligently; make a strenuous effort

Other Word Forms

• exertive adjective
• exertion noun
• nonexertive adjective
• superexert verb (used with object)
• unexerted adjective
• well-exerted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exert¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of exert¹

C17 (in the sense: push forth, emit): from Latin exserere to thrust out, from _ex- ¹ + serere to bind together, entwine

Example Sentences

They found that ACA and ORB exerted specific and opposing effects on visual encoding depending on the mouse's movement and level of arousal.

Read more on Science Daily

The country’s highest court said Friday that a lower appeals court had made an error in ruling that the family’s namesake Bollore holding company exerted de facto control over Vivendi.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Spermine also exerts an influence on other diseases, including cancer for example.

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Their work shows that light can exert magnetic influence on matter, not simply illuminate it.

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The EU has struggled to exert influence during the two-year war in Gaza due to splits within the bloc between countries supporting Israel and those closer to the Palestinians.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• apply 
• bring to bear 
• exercise 
• expend 
• strive 
• utilize 
• wield