Synonym Usage
See effort.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of exertion
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.
Vocabulary lists containing exertion
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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.
See Examples For:
Haze caused by Canadian wildfires has blanketed the New York region, prompting officials to urge residents to reduce outdoor exertion and stay indoors if possible.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
The medical condition can increase the risk of serious injury or death following extreme exertion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Unlike Hoover Dam, which exults in exertion, the Gateway Arch seems effortless.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026
The net effect is that our heart delivers less blood and oxygen to our muscles, and our capacity for physical exertion drops.
From Barron's ● May 23, 2026
It isn’t long before my body warms with the exertion of walking and checking over my shoulder and dodging hazards in the road.
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
Newcastle's exertions in securing a 1-1 draw away to European champions Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, while Liverpool cruised to a 6-0 win over Qarabag at home in the Champions League, showed after the break.
From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026
But Celtic faded badly in the second period after their midweek European exertions as Hearts filled the home crowd with belief that the Old Firm stranglehold can be broken.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2025
The latest issue has centred upon Chelsea and City, who both wanted a delayed start to the new campaign given their summer exertions.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2025
In the second half, Celtic's undoubted quality - and perhaps Rangers' exertions from Thursday's penalty shootout win against Fenerbahce - started to take their toll as the league leaders roared back to 2-2.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2025
Sleep she did: Kate was so tired from her night’s exertions that she slept through the wake-up announcement and was late getting ready for breakfast.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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.
