Exert

Pronunciation

Origin

From Latin exsertus, past participle of exsero.

Full definition of exert

Verb

1. To put in vigorous action.
   I exerted myself in today's training.
2. To make use of, to apply, especially of something non-material.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 19, Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.
• 2012, 18 April, Phil McNulty, Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona, Di Matteo clearly saw Drogba's power as a potential threat to a Barcelona defence stripped of Gerard Pique - but he barely caught sight of goal in a first 45 minutes in which the Catalans exerted their technical superiority.
3. He considered exerting his influence on John to gain an advantage for himself.