exert
verb (used with object)
to put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action.
were exerting
-
past progressiveof exert.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
"Seeing a substantial increase in repetitions without the athletes feeling like they were exerting themselves any harder is a fascinating psychobiological outcome."
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026
Last month, a leading Turkish newspaper claimed that her parents were exerting undue influence inside the financial institution and that her father had even fired a bank employee.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 3, 2024
Wales made a bright start with Fishlock finding some early space and forcing Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to save a dangerous looking cross, but it was not long until France were exerting pressure on Wales' defence.
From BBC ● Nov. 30, 2021
Hunter’s team gloated over how well things were going, how they were exerting their muscle on the market.
From Salon ● Jun. 1, 2013
But he saw that other factors were exerting a countervailing force.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
