exert

verb

ig-ˈzərt How to pronounce exert (audio)
Definition of exertnext
as in to apply
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively parental involvement has consistently been shown to exert the most influence over a child's success in school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exert Instead, in the late 19th century, Japan started to build its own empire, exerting influence over Korea as well as Manchuria, an important area of modern-day China that borders Korea, Russia and Mongolia. — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 This phase of reconciliation positions Turkey – a key and well-armed member of NATO – to exert a constructive and stabilizing influence in the region. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026 Simply put, when one object exerts a force on another, the second one exerts an equal and opposite force in return. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026 But atmospheric drag intensified by solar activity exerted its forces on the observatory. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exert
  1. apply
  2. use
  3. wield
  4. employ
Verb
  • The marks apply across all Claude surfaces people use — the API, Claude Code, Claude Cowork and deployments through AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Foundry.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But no matter the amount returned, states have held that their specific rules apply to banks lending within their borders.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Hundreds of people with stereo systems, disco balls, tents, kegs and mattresses left huge amounts of trash, set off fireworks and used Tunitas Creek Beach as a bathroom during all-night events.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Carrick using Mbeumo as a centre-forward is not new — but the way United’s forward line is gelling around him is.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of use
Verb
  • Hope Davis as Nancy Reagan Hope Davis plays Nancy Reagan, who, beyond her duties as first lady, was one of her husband’s closest confidantes and wielded considerable influence behind the scenes during his presidency.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With heavy machinery in short supply, a volunteer worker wields a sledgehammer in the search of bodies at the complex.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of wield
Verb
  • One of its key functions has been for healing, often employing a complex knowledge of medicinal plants and in many cases providing the only medical services available within African American communities.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For startups like Code Metal—which employs 123 people—the challenge now is turning one-off opportunities, like the new $80 million Pentagon deal, into repeatable, expandable business.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of employ

Browse Nearby Words

exercising
exert
exerted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exert. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on exert

Nglish: Translation of exert for Spanish Speakers

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