Exert
/ɪɡˈzɜrt/
verbB2
Definition
Exert means to put in effort, strength, or power to achieve a result. It can mean using physical energy, mental effort, or influence over people or situations. For example, you can exert force to move an object or exert pressure to convince someone.
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See It in Action
To use physical or mental effort
- •She exerted all her strength to lift the heavy box.
- •You need to exert yourself more if you want to improve your skills.
- •The athlete exerted great energy during the race.
To apply influence or pressure
- •The manager exerted pressure on the team to meet the deadline.
- •Parents can exert a strong influence on their children's decisions.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "exert" like "use" (A1 word), but specifically when you use effort or power strongly and actively
- ✓Picture pushing a heavy door open with your hands, using all your strength to make it move
- ✓It's the feeling when you try very hard to finish a difficult task or persuade someone
- ✓Sounds like "eg-ZURT" → imagine a strong "zert" sound like a burst of energy pushing something forward
- ✓Think of a coach encouraging players to exert themselves, meaning they must try their hardest
- ✓NOT like "have" (just owning something); "exert" means to actively use or apply something like power or effort
- ✓NOT like "wait" (passive), "exert" means active action and effort from yourself
- ✓NOT like "force" alone (which can be physical only); "exert" can be physical, mental, or social power
Try Other Words
- •Apply: to put effort or power into action (Use when emphasizing the action of putting something into use)
- •Use: to employ something for a purpose (Use in general situations with less focus on effort)
- •Wield: to hold and use power or influence (Use when talking about controlling or using power, often in social or political contexts)
- •Put forth: to make an effort or show energy (Use in formal or written contexts to describe effort)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root: "ex-" (out, from) + "sert" (from Latin "serere," meaning to join or put) → together meaning to put out or put forward effort or power
- •Etymology: From Latin "exserere" meaning to stretch out or put forth
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century to mean putting effort or power into action
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in formal and everyday English to describe using strength, effort, or influence actively
Reflect & Connect
•When do you think it is important to exert more effort in your daily life, and why?
•How does exerting influence differ from simply suggesting or asking someone to do something?
Fill in the blanks
1.To win the game, the players had to exert ___ and focus for the entire match.
2.The government exerted ___ to change the law quickly.
3.When you exert physical effort, your muscles ___ harder than usual.
4.She tried to exert ___ over the situation, but it was difficult.
5.Unlike relaxing, to exert yourself means to ___ energy and work hard.
6.Sometimes people exert pressure on others to make them ___ decisions they don't want.
7.If you don't exert enough effort, you might not ___ your goals.