1
as in activity
energetic movement of the body for the sake of physical fitness
often the television addict's greatest attempt at exertion was switching channels on the remote control
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2
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
the number of blueberries that we were finding was hardly worth the exertion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exertion
These include stiffening of blood vessels, changes in heart muscle function and impaired ability of the cardiovascular system to respond to exertion.
—
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
As Qatar in high summer is rather inconsistent with any form of physical exertion, the 2022 World Cup had to be shifted to a November-December time frame.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
For the general public, the EPA advises reducing the duration or intensity of outdoor exertion and taking frequent breaks to minimize exposure.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Traditionally, performance had been an unhealthy model, defined by maximum physical exertion and exhaustion, as in the lives of jazz musicians in the 1940s and ’50s.
—Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exertion
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
As Qatar in high summer is rather inconsistent with any form of physical exertion, the 2022 World Cup had to be shifted to a November-December time frame.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
For the general public, the EPA advises reducing the duration or intensity of outdoor exertion and taking frequent breaks to minimize exposure.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Traditionally, performance had been an unhealthy model, defined by maximum physical exertion and exhaustion, as in the lives of jazz musicians in the 1940s and ’50s.
—Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exertion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exertion
Noun
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Singapore becomes a real-world test site Under the agreement, Singapore will serve as the first operational airport environment to study how open-fan engines could be integrated into daily aviation activities.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
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Experts recommend managing chronic stress with mindfulness, meditation and consistent physical activity to help lower cortisol levels and support healthier metabolic function and weight regulation, per Cleveland Clinic.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Search and rescue mission coordinators, on-scene commanders and the Coast Guard determined on Saturday all reasonable search efforts for the missing crew members had been exhausted.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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That narrative continued Tuesday despite Sarandos’s best efforts to describe the reality of Netflix’s content slate.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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How is Michkov’s conditioning still an issue?—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Olive oil esters enhance the formula by conditioning lashes while adding subtle shine.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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China’s cabinet on Thursday rolled out a work plan to boost services consumption — from cruise and yacht tourism to elder care services and more sports events — as policymakers sought to boost the share of consumption in its economy over the next five years.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Hinton’s work shows how institutions—from urban police to public housing and segregated, underfunded schools—have, through their practices, entrenched a racially unjust status quo.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With one or two exceptions, this trade deadline may just be an accounting exercise of slinging slop contracts back and forth with negligible on-court impact.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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On rest days, consider doing other forms of light exercise.—
Jamie Friedlander Serrano,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exertion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exertion. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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