as in applying
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 exerting
Their immense gravitational influence churns gas, dust, and even proximate stars around them, thus exerting a tremendous influence on their host galaxies.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Outside Iran, Gulf states are exerting intense pressure to prevent regional war.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Under a dual-class structure that gives Musk super-voting shares, the billionaire would establish a bulwark against activist shareholders exerting changes at the company against his wishes.
—Ryan Gould, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Moreover, Lonesome Dove brings to bear a classical judgment of humanity as hostage to circumstance destiny, in the end, exerting its will with certainty, a grip that no man, however spirited, ever eludes.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Part of the reason Trump is so keen on exerting greater control over the Fed is its power over the value of money.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
One climate indicator already exerting a strong influence on insurers and reinsurers is ocean conditions, particularly sea surface temperatures.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Independence is exerting its local authority to add some restrictions to development agreements between the city and outside agencies.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
The stringent businessman makes Marty suffer and grovel for his money, at one point exerting his power by spanking the young man’s bare bottom with a wooden ping-pong paddle.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Outside Iran, Gulf states are exerting intense pressure to prevent regional war.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Under a dual-class structure that gives Musk super-voting shares, the billionaire would establish a bulwark against activist shareholders exerting changes at the company against his wishes.
—Ryan Gould, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Moreover, Lonesome Dove brings to bear a classical judgment of humanity as hostage to circumstance destiny, in the end, exerting its will with certainty, a grip that no man, however spirited, ever eludes.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Part of the reason Trump is so keen on exerting greater control over the Fed is its power over the value of money.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
One climate indicator already exerting a strong influence on insurers and reinsurers is ocean conditions, particularly sea surface temperatures.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Independence is exerting its local authority to add some restrictions to development agreements between the city and outside agencies.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
The stringent businessman makes Marty suffer and grovel for his money, at one point exerting his power by spanking the young man’s bare bottom with a wooden ping-pong paddle.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exerting
Verb
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Individuals applying for Social Security after age 65 should be aware that Medicare Part A may be backdated up to six months, and contributions made during that lookback period are subject to a 6% IRS excise tax per year until corrected.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Use a slow-release, granular fertilizer, applying at the rate recommended on the bag or by your local extension office.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When Carolyn finally walked through the doors at the back of the chapel and down the aisle, Reverend O’Byrne had to lead the pair through their vows using a flashlight.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor.—
Shelly Conlon,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Their participation did not always take the form of wielding a weapon.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
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Yearwood, wielding one of the nastiest breaking balls among the Bobcats, gave up no runs and struck out six batters in 2⅔ innings of work.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Studying and exercising the brain muscle opens you up to interesting topics.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
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The stump speech that voters — or would-be voters — get about this time of year entails platitudes about exercising rights, not sitting on the sidelines, using your voice and so on.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exerting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exerting. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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