exert

[ ig-zurt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action:

   to exert every effort.

2. to put (oneself ) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.

exert

/ ɪɡˈzɜːt /

verb

1. to use (influence, authority, etc) forcefully or effectively
2. to apply (oneself) diligently; make a strenuous effort

Derived Forms

• exˈertive, adjective
• exˈertion, noun

Other Words From

• ex·ertive adjective
• nonex·ertive adjective
• super·ex·ert verb (used with object)
• unex·erted adjective
• well-ex·erted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exert¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin ex(s)ertus, past participle of exserere “to thrust out,” from ex- ex- ¹ + serere “to connect, join together”

Word History and Origins

Origin of exert¹

C17 (in the sense: push forth, emit): from Latin exserere to thrust out, from ex- ¹+ serere to bind together, entwine

Example Sentences

A new paper led by a Concordia researcher examines how social isolation, loneliness and frailty affect one another and the bidirectional relationship they exert as an individual gets older.

From Science Daily

"It demonstrates the enduring consequences that prenatal cannabis exposure exerts on the brain's reward system, which ultimately results in a neurobiological vulnerability to opioid drugs."

From Science Daily

Across the experiments, individuals who used texting abbreviations were perceived as more insincere and were less likely to receive replies because they were seen as exerting less effort in text conversations.

From Science Daily

“It’s a racial stereotype. At times, it can even be a way of exerting harm against an individual or a group of people,” said Thompson.

From Los Angeles Times

Whichever way the fighting on the ground goes, Israel is exerting pressure on Lebanese society as a whole, through its strikes on civilian institutions like AQAH.

From BBC

Related Words

• apply
• bring to bear
• exercise
• expend
• strive
• utilize
• wield