exert

verb

ex·​ert ig-ˈzərt 

exerted; exerting; exerts

transitive verb

1

a

: to put forth (strength, effort, etc.)

the force is exerted sideways

b

: to put (oneself) into action or to tiring effort

won't have to exert himself moving the table

2

: to bring to bear especially with sustained effort or lasting effect

exerted a bad influence on his students

3

: employ, wield

exerted her leadership abilities intelligently

Synonyms

• apply
• use
• wield
• employ

Examples of exert in a Sentence

He had to exert all of his strength to move the stone.

He exerts a lot of influence on the other members of the committee.

the force exerted by the machine

Recent Examples on the Web

After a brief struggle for traction, the robot regained control by crouching slightly, mimicking a human posture to exert force. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025

This growth can’t last forever early on, as radiation carries lots of energy and exerts a significant amount of pressure. —Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025

As Moscow extended soft power abroad, the regime grew more concerned about other countries exerting it within Russia. —Tetiana Kotelnykova, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025

At a time when Republicans control nearly every branch of power, some see the standoff as the only way for Democrats to exert pressure. —Leonardo Feldman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin exsertus, past participle of exserere to thrust out, from ex- + serere to join — more at series

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing exert

• exert one self

Rhymes for exert

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt
• revert

Kids Definition

exert

verb

ex·​ert ig-ˈzərt 

1

: to put forth (as strength)

the force exerted by a machine

: bring into use or action

exert influence

2

: to put (oneself) into action or to tiring effort

don't exert yourself too much