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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.

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

"No one cares about us", Najdi lamented, calling on "everyone who can to exert pressure to stop this barbarity".

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

A failure to exert scoreboard pressure led to a snowball effect and a game that was quickly out of reach.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

I’d never seen Rosaleen so interested in a TV show that she would exert physical energy over it.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.