exerted; exerting; exerts
1
a
: to put forth (strength, effort, etc.)
the force is exerted sideways
b
: to put (oneself) into action or to tiring effort
won't have to exert himself moving the table
2
: to bring to bear especially with sustained effort or lasting effect
exerted a bad influence on his students
Examples of exert in a Sentence
He had to exert all of his strength to move the stone.
He exerts a lot of influence on the other members of the committee.
the force exerted by the machine
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet the imposition of financial obstacles to limit access to care still exerts a powerful influence on healthcare policy in the U.S.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
The country also exerts control over much of the mining and refining of critical minerals essential to the global economy and boasts some of the world’s most advanced infrastructure, including the largest high-speed rail network and cutting-edge 5G systems.
—Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Vox Lux appeared to exert a cultural imperative that The Brutalist neglects for repugnant elitism.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
From 2000 through last season, the Eagles ranked No. 1 on the Cook Index, which measures how frequently teams pass in generally neutral situations: early downs in the first 28 minutes of games, before score differential and time remaining exert more influence on play calling.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
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Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
The country also exerts control over much of the mining and refining of critical minerals essential to the global economy and boasts some of the world’s most advanced infrastructure, including the largest high-speed rail network and cutting-edge 5G systems.
—Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Vox Lux appeared to exert a cultural imperative that The Brutalist neglects for repugnant elitism.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
From 2000 through last season, the Eagles ranked No. 1 on the Cook Index, which measures how frequently teams pass in generally neutral situations: early downs in the first 28 minutes of games, before score differential and time remaining exert more influence on play calling.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for exert
Dictionary Entries Near exert
Cite this Entry
“Exert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exert. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exert
verb
ex·ert
ig-ˈzərt 
1
: to put forth (as strength)
the force exerted by a machine
: bring into use or action
exert influence
2
: to put (oneself) into action or to tiring effort
don't exert yourself too much
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