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
Industry groups, meanwhile, are quashing proposals for higher taxes or stricter regulation by exerting pressure on lawmakers and cozying up to power players in the worlds of philanthropy, medicine, and science.
—
Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the leader is lucid and exerting total control over the country that his office commands.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2026
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
By exerting more control, America becomes more like China in the very race to beat it.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that months after returning to Earth from space, astronauts had trouble exerting the correct amount of force to properly grip an object.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Completing an easy, accomplishable responsibility lets workers still feel productive without exerting too much mental effort.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
The pinafore-style dress was in a twee ditsy print and flowed well past her knees, while a leather belt sat happily on her waist without exerting effort to cinch.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Ackman is one of the loudest hedge fund investors out there, exerting enormous influence through social media, podcasts and media interviews.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the leader is lucid and exerting total control over the country that his office commands.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2026
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
By exerting more control, America becomes more like China in the very race to beat it.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that months after returning to Earth from space, astronauts had trouble exerting the correct amount of force to properly grip an object.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Completing an easy, accomplishable responsibility lets workers still feel productive without exerting too much mental effort.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
The pinafore-style dress was in a twee ditsy print and flowed well past her knees, while a leather belt sat happily on her waist without exerting effort to cinch.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Ackman is one of the loudest hedge fund investors out there, exerting enormous influence through social media, podcasts and media interviews.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exerting
Verb
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The scientists can use this to safely experiment with new materials and printing techniques before applying them in factories.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
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Sometimes applying a furniture-grade oil over the whole surface can camouflage grease stains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The Tribune adopted it in 1940, but Porter’s motto remained largely a regional phenomenon for four decades until CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger, a former Chicago newspaper reporter, began using it during the NCAA tournament in 1982.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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But Cole overcame that initial adversity, getting Jonathan Aranda to fly out harmlessly, and then using a slick inside move to pick off Simpson.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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No ruler-wielding schoolmarm can impart the urgency of learning the way hunger can.—
John Phillips,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
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City officials, when wielding that exemption, must determine if the public interest in keeping documents secret outweighs the public interest in disclosing documents, First Amendment Coalition Executive Director David Snyder said.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Elevated ozone levels can cause problems for people with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease (like asthma), the elderly, and people exercising outdoors, the commissioners said.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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The phrase had been coined a year earlier by students frustrated that Stanford was exercising ever more control over their lives.—
Theo Baker,
Vanity Fair,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exerting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exerting. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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