as in applying
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively
parental involvement has consistently been shown to exert the most influence over a child's success in school
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Recent Examples of exerting
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the leader is lucid and exerting total control over the country that his office commands.
—
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2026
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
By exerting more control, America becomes more like China in the very race to beat it.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that months after returning to Earth from space, astronauts had trouble exerting the correct amount of force to properly grip an object.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Completing an easy, accomplishable responsibility lets workers still feel productive without exerting too much mental effort.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
The pinafore-style dress was in a twee ditsy print and flowed well past her knees, while a leather belt sat happily on her waist without exerting effort to cinch.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Common traits like height or blood pressure are influenced by variations at thousands of locations in the genome, each exerting a tiny effect.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
Though both are from different sets of parents, the estranged brothers keep being brought in and out of each other’s lives due to death and other circumstances, with Ruben exerting a disturbing hold on Niall.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2026
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2026
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
By exerting more control, America becomes more like China in the very race to beat it.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that months after returning to Earth from space, astronauts had trouble exerting the correct amount of force to properly grip an object.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Completing an easy, accomplishable responsibility lets workers still feel productive without exerting too much mental effort.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
The pinafore-style dress was in a twee ditsy print and flowed well past her knees, while a leather belt sat happily on her waist without exerting effort to cinch.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Common traits like height or blood pressure are influenced by variations at thousands of locations in the genome, each exerting a tiny effect.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
Though both are from different sets of parents, the estranged brothers keep being brought in and out of each other’s lives due to death and other circumstances, with Ruben exerting a disturbing hold on Niall.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exerting
Verb
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With Philadelphia applying pressure, Winn shattered Trea Turner’s bat to induce a 5-4-3 double play, recording the first two outs of the inning.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
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If bitten by a rattlesnake, victims should stay calm, limit movement, call 911 and seek emergency medical attention, avoiding myths such as sucking out the venom or applying ice.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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First, locate the radiant to the left of the waning moon using a handy smartphone stargazing app.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
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Paller tried a similar experiment in 2009, this time using sound.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Law-enforcement officers, clad in helmets and flak jackets and wielding long guns, materialized on the stage.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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Cole Tomas Allen, 31, who hails from Torrance, CA, allegedly tried to storm the annual event at the Washington Hilton in the nation’s capital while wielding guns.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Along with consuming plenty of vitamin C through your diet, other tips for supporting immune function include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and managing stress.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
24 Apr. 2026
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What’s more, firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts and live with their crew at the station, cooking, eating, sleeping and exercising together.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exerting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exerting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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