to exert

Examples

• All

• It's going to exert its influence that way.

• Even if I pay the fine, he'll find a way to exert pressure on these people and force them to bend the rules.

  Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023)

• China is doing this stuff to exert influence and control.

• I had to exert pressure just to keep you in this thing.

  Punchline (1988)

• Narcissists exert their power in many ways.

  DoctorRamani

• We've seen employees exert tremendous pressure on a company.

• Mr. Burton, if you have an influence over your youthful friend, you better exert it now.

  Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

• Daley had ruled Cook County and thus had exerted major influence in state and national politics.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Tech-prep education programs potentially will exert a major influence upon future vocational education designs.

  Academic text (1991)

• The coach asked the players to exert themselves during the final game to secure victory.

Synonyms

A

to apply

vsto exert

374 2.8

Use something for a particular purpose, for example a rule or method

uses power to affect others rather than merely applying tools or rules

W

to wield

vsto exert

124 4.4

To have and use something like a tool or power effectively

uses power more generally without implying skilled control

L

to leverage

vsto exert

114 5.4

To use resources such as money or influence to gain an advantage

uses power in a straightforward way rather than for strategic gain

E

to exercise

vsto exert

• Formal

89 3.8

Use a right or power to get a result

uses authority broadly, not only formal rights

G

to govern

vsto exert

64 3.2

To strongly influence how someone behaves or what happens

uses power to affect outcomes briefly rather than long term control

B

to bring to bear

vsto exert

• Formal

31 5.1

To use effort or knowledge to solve a problem

uses power more generally rather than specifically applying resources

P

to prevail

vsto exert

• Formal

23 6.7

To persuade someone to do something after repeated effort

uses power to affect outcomes immediately rather than gradual persuasion

A

to act upon

vsto exert

16 3.5

Make someone or something change

uses power actively to produce results rather than passive influence

H

to hold sway

vsto exert

9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

uses power to cause actions rather than merely holding influence

B

to bring pressure to bear

vsto exert

• Formal

1 6.0

To use influence to persuade someone to do something

uses power more generally, not necessarily as persuasion

How Influential

to command

307 2.7

to exert

58 4.3

to press

285 3.9

to ask

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology