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
• exercise
• ply
• put out
• wield

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

Threatening to bar or limit imports can successfully exert pressure on trading partners. —Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025

Some exert control through violence, some through financial dominance, and others through the threat of divorce and social isolation. —Trickleup, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

Its stock, which exerts an outsize influence over major indexes, rose 3.2 percent. —Jason Karaian, New York Times, 29 May 2025

But what happens in Gaza next may depend as much as on the pressure being exerted by Washington on the Israeli government to end the conflict as on the leadership of Hamas. —Oren Lieberman, CNN Money, 28 May 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