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 lot of influence on fellow committee members

3

: employ, wield

exerted leadership abilities intelligently

Synonyms of exert

• 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

Over the longer term, many economists expect AI to exert downward pressure on prices by creating efficiencies that make businesses more productive. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

The president issued an executive order in March that moved to exert federal control over voter rolls and mail-in ballots. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Congress should also reestablish more authority over the United States’ wars, first by exerting more power over military spending. — Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

Concurrently, the management indicated that HBM was already exerting pressure on the supply of non-HBM. — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

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