exert

UK: /ɪgˈzɜː^rt/ US: /ɪgˈzɝt/ ,(ig zûrt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•ert /ɪgˈzɜrt/   v. [~ + object]

1. to put into use; exercise:
   a president exerting his authority.
2. to put (oneself ) into vigorous action or effort:
   [~ + oneself] If you exert yourself you can finish the task on time.

ex•er•tion /ɪgˈzɜrʃən/  n. [uncountable* countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•ert  (ig zûrt′), v.t. 

1. to put forth or into use, as power;
   exercise, as ability or influence;
   put into vigorous action:
   to exert every effort.
2. to put (oneself ) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.

• Latin ex(s)ertus, past participle of exserere to thrust out, equivalent. to ex- ex-¹ + ser(ere) to bind together + -tus past participle suffix
• 1650–60

ex•er′tive, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

exert / ɪɡˈzɜːt/ verb (transitive)

1. to use (influence, authority, etc) forcefully or effectively
2. to apply (oneself) diligently; make a strenuous effort

Etymology: 17th Century (in the sense: push forth, emit): from Latin exserere to thrust out, from ex-¹ + serere to bind together, entwine

exˈertion noun

exˈertive adjective