Thesaurus results for EXERT

exert

verb

ig-ˈzərt

Definition of exert

as in to apply

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively parental involvement has consistently been shown to exert the most influence over a child's success in school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exert After all, the superrich exert influence on politics in more ways than just their donations. — Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026 Analysts caution that Federal Reserve monetary policy and corporate earnings cycles exert a far greater influence on equity performance than election outcomes alone. — CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026 Qeshm Island, in the northern Strait of Hormuz, is crucial to the Iranian regime's efforts to monitor and exert control over commercial traffic through the waterway. — James Laporta, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 The condition, also known as rhabdo, causes the muscles to break down when over-exerted, which leads to muscle death, according to Cleveland Clinic. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exert

Verb

Proponents say the measure applies to eight categories of projects California communities need to expand housing, improve civic infrastructure and promote green energy.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
On the other hand, many of these albums are timeless and continue to resonate, and today’s streaming culture has embraced exhuming catalog music — something that applies not only to old singles, but to old albums.

— Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of apply

Verb

The senator also used her remarks to underscore the stakes of electing lawmakers willing to withstand pressure from lobbyists and wealthy donors.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026
However, sometimes chuck and top sirloin are used, offering a richer, more flavorful, marbled cut.

— Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Croft was a candidate to become the next House Speaker, who can wield major control of what bills are considered in the chamber.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026
When the next Congress convenes in January, the Democrats will wield the subpoena power that comes with committee control, giving them the authority to compel testimony and the disclosure of documents.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of wield

Verb

While many commissioners supported the idea, commission staff said the benchmark was too stringent to employ without understanding how the new sand placement will fare over the next few months or years.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Unlike woodpeckers, which mostly use their neck muscles to drill, Akis employ their entire body’s momentum, from feet to beak, to slam into the wood.

— Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of employ

Browse Nearby Words

exercising

exert

exerted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Exert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exert. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of exert

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

wabi-sabi

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes