exert
ihg-ZURT
Exert (verb) means to apply or make use of something, such as force, influence, or effort. Example: “The manager exerted pressure on the team to finish early.”
verb
1
To apply or make use of something, such as force, influence, or effort.
"How can the unions - or more specifically the RMT - possibly think this is a good time to exert a bit of industrial muscle and indulge in strikes both on the national railway and the London Underground?"
— Christian Wolmar, A new year... but the same old mistakes are being made (2022)
"The manager exerted pressure on the team to finish early."
"Gravity exerts a pull on every object with mass."
"He considered exerting his influence on John to gain an advantage for himself."
"Di Matteo clearly saw Drogba's power as a potential threat to a Barcelona defence stripped of Gerard Pique - but he barely caught sight of goal in a first 45 minutes in which the Catalans exerted their technical superiority."
— Phil McNulty, Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona (2012)
How to use exert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo apply effort, force, or influence toward something.
Common pairings
exert pressure
exert influence
exert oneself
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- exerts
- Past tense
- exerted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The manager _____ pressure on the team to finish early.
Etymology
From Latin exserere, "to thrust forth, stretch out" — ex- plus serere ("to bind, join").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “exert” mean?
The word “exert” means to apply or make use of something, such as force, influence, or effort. In plain terms, to apply effort, force, or influence toward something.
How do you pronounce “exert”?
“Exert” is pronounced ihg-ZURT (/ɪɡˈzɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “exert” in a sentence?
Here is “exert” used in a sentence: “The manager exerted pressure on the team to finish early.”
What part of speech is “exert”?
“Exert” is a verb.
Where does the word “exert” come from?
The word “exert” comes from Latin. From Latin exserere, "to thrust forth, stretch out" — ex- plus serere ("to bind, join").
Is “exert” a common word?
“Exert” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
