Word: exert

Associations

The word "exert" means to put forth effort or to use power or influence. It often refers to actively using physical strength, mental energy, or authority to achieve something.

• Example 1: "He needs to exert more effort to complete his project." This means he should try harder.
• Example 2: "The teacher exerted her influence to help the students." This means the teacher used her authority to support the students.
• Example 3: "You can exert your rights as a citizen." This means you can actively use your legal rights.

A common synonym for "exert" is "apply." However, "apply" is often used in a more specific way, like applying a force, while "exert" can imply more personal involvement or effort.

Substitution

Some phrases that could replace "exert" include:

• "use": This is a general term, but it may lack the nuance of effort.
• "apply": This is more formal and often used with specific skills or force.
• "exercise": This can imply using power or rights, often in a physical or authoritative context.

Deconstruction

The word "exert" comes from Latin roots.

• The prefix "ex-" means "out" or "from".
• The root "sert" comes from "sērere" meaning “to join” or “to put together.”

So, "exert" literally means to put forth or bring out effort from within oneself.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you had to exert effort to achieve a goal? What was it?
• In what situations do you think it's necessary to exert influence over others?
• How might the meaning of "exert" change in a physical context (like sports) compared to a social context (like in the workplace)?