Definitions

exert

[ig-zurt] / ɪgˈzɜrt /

VERB

make use of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apply bring to bear exercise expend strive utilize wield

STRONG

dig employ endeavor labor plug ply push strain struggle throw toil use work

WEAK

apply oneself bring into play give all one's got give best shot make effort peg away pour it on put forth put out sweat it try hard

Antonyms

STRONG

conceal hide idle ignore laze relax rest

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Determined to exert power and raise its profile, Local 99 went on strike against L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Nobody knows how many, but it doesn’t take too many for it to exert a lot of leverage.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Their large size means the fund can exert a lot of pressure on the S&P 500 and introduce a noticeable amount of market volatility.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 28, 2026

He was unable to exert his influence in forward positions, although this untidy scrap of a friendly against Marcelo Bielsa's side was hardly the stage for creativity to flourish.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, composers increasingly found that chords had a hierarchy, too: certain chords exert an influence over other chords.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Vocabulary lists containing exert

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