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

The bodybuilders in Mustapha’s focus are the inheritors of that model, using their Hulk-like muscles to exert temporary power over homegrown overlords who keep them in a kind of class subjugation. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

While a filter holds the foam back, the gas passes through another channel into the eyedrop chamber, where the pressure exerted by it pushes the medication down a final microfluidic channel that leads directly into the corner of the patient's eye. — Ben Coxworth october 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

With the veil thinning, our intuition exerts an immense pull on our emotional state. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Among the elements biology has to work with, oxygen exerts the strongest pull. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 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