exertion

American  

[ig-zur-shuhn] / ɪgˈzɜr ʃən /

noun

1. vigorous action or effort.

   physical and mental exertion.

   Synonyms:

   strain, activity, attempt, struggle, endeavor

2. an effort.

   a great exertion to help others.

3. exercise, as of power or faculties.

4. an instance of this.

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Related Words

See effort.

Other Word Forms

• nonexertion noun
• self-exertion noun
• superexertion noun

Etymology

Origin of exertion

First recorded in 1660–70; exert + -ion

Example Sentences

Between the travel and the exertion, I was incredibly fatigued.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

The trackers can help monitor physical exertion, stress levels and heart rate.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

By changing the information traveling from the muscles to the brain, vibration appears to reshape how movement and exertion are perceived.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

It has meant more drills, more running, more exertion.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2025

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