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exert

/ɛgˈzʌrt/
/ɛgˈzʌt/
IPA guide

Other forms: exerted; exerting; exerts

Exert basically means to put forth effort to do something. For example, when you exert yourself in a workout, you can really feel the burn in your muscles.

The Latin verb exserere — with its derivative form exsertus, which is the source of our word — means to "put forth." That's where exert gets its meaning of physical force — consider that when you try hard at something, you put forth effort to do it, you push yourself. But exert can refer to other ways you "push": you exert your influence to convince others to think your way; when one nation exerts its power on another; and gravity exerts its force on us, holding us down on earth.

Definitions of exert
  1. verb
    put to use
    exert one's power or influence”
    synonyms: exercise
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    type of:
    apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize
    put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
  2. verb
    have and exercise
    synonyms: maintain, wield
    see moresee less
    type of:
    have, have got, hold
    have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
  3. verb
    make a great effort at a mental or physical task
    exert oneself”
    see moresee less
    types:
    overexert
    exert (oneself) excessively and go beyond one's strength
    type of:
    act, move
    perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Pronunciation
US
/ɛgˈzʌrt/
UK
/ɛgˈzʌt/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘exert'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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