exert
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action.
to exert every effort.
-
to put (oneself ) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.
verb
-
to use (influence, authority, etc) forcefully or effectively
-
to apply (oneself) diligently; make a strenuous effort
Other Word Forms
- exertion noun
- exertive adjective
- nonexertive adjective
- superexert verb (used with object)
- unexerted adjective
- well-exerted adjective
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.
Nowadays, the group can hardly exert control of areas within Yemen itself, and again, the intelligence community in 2025 and 2026 can only ascribe “intent” to the group and not actual attacks.
From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026
Determined to exert power and raise its profile, Local 99 went on strike against L.A.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
The White House certainly views space as another arena for the US to exert its dominance.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
The article said they were not deploying troops but pressure was building on them to do so as Tehran looks to exert greater sway over the region.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
“Something else, then. At any rate, you exert a powerful influence.”
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
