as in applied
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
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Recent Examples of exerted
The meters use electrical conductivity or tensiometer tubes that measure the suction exerted by the soil on the water, which indicates the soil moisture available to plants.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Vince still exerted autocratic control.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Similarly, the team also found that, while in space, astronauts actually exerted more force than necessary to grip objects because their brains still expected the presence of gravity.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
After returning to office in 2010, Orbán swiftly exerted control over the media.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
The merger aimed to distance the party from Sasikala’s influence amid mutual concerns that her faction exerted undue control over the party and prevent a split in the AIADMK government.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors presented evidence of the physical and emotional abuse and control that Lee Milne exerted during their 18-month married life leading up to the death on July 27, 2023, in Dundee, Scotland.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Because the muscles in this area are not overly exerted, their tendons don't toughen (which is why a tenderloin is so tender).
—Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
The federal government, controlled mostly by the Republican Party, increasingly exerted its power in the West and provided incentives for white settlers to migrate to the region.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Vince still exerted autocratic control.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Similarly, the team also found that, while in space, astronauts actually exerted more force than necessary to grip objects because their brains still expected the presence of gravity.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
After returning to office in 2010, Orbán swiftly exerted control over the media.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
The merger aimed to distance the party from Sasikala’s influence amid mutual concerns that her faction exerted undue control over the party and prevent a split in the AIADMK government.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors presented evidence of the physical and emotional abuse and control that Lee Milne exerted during their 18-month married life leading up to the death on July 27, 2023, in Dundee, Scotland.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Because the muscles in this area are not overly exerted, their tendons don't toughen (which is why a tenderloin is so tender).
—Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
The federal government, controlled mostly by the Republican Party, increasingly exerted its power in the West and provided incentives for white settlers to migrate to the region.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exerted
Verb
-
Andrew, a senior, applied in the fall of 1984.—
John McPhee,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
More than 2,800 households have applied for the compensation program.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Henry Kissinger used that argument to explain why academic feuds are so bitter.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
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Copper wiring, which was used for communications for decades, is one of the first things being replaced.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gray served in a variety of consequential positions over the years and wielded influence deftly to the benefit of the community, said Dick Batchelor, who represented Central Florida in the Legislature from 1974 to 1982 and regarded Gray as a sage confidant.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
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The department houses the government’s stakes in Intel and two rare-earth minerals companies, and controls its board seat at US Steel, and is helping orchestrate the rescue of Spirit Airlines — all signs of how Trump has wielded executive power to exert unusual influence on private companies.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Cowboys placed the tag on Pickens, considering he was set to be a free agent - the Steelers had not exercised Pickens' fifth-year option before trading him.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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This was by design, as Romvari exercised patience to make this moment count, refining her visual style and tightening her narrative approach.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exerted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exerted. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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