EN

Synonyms for exert

14 synonyms
8 antonyms
2 meanings

verb

Most common

exercise use expend operate maintain wield

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Exercise — to make use of, to apply, especially of something nonmaterial; to bring to bear

exercise, use, expend, operate, work, assert, utilize, utilise UK, employ

2. Maintain

maintain, wield

Other

extend, put forth, strain

Antonyms

relax, ease, rest

All antonyms of exert →

Definitions

v. 1
To make use of, to apply, especially of something nonmaterial; to bring to bear.
He considered exerting his influence on John to gain an advantage for himself.
v. 2
To put in vigorous action.
I exerted myself in today's training.

Related words

Word family: exertion

Forms

Past participle: exerted
e.g. exerted → exercised, used, expended, operated…

Example sentences

exercise People living in a big city tend to lack exercise.
operate Of course, a license is needed to operate a crane.
assert Taiwan can't assert its independence from China.
expend According to the budget, she could expend no more on supplies.
extend I want to extend my stay here for a few more days.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
exert		steady
exercise		steady
operate		falling
assert		steady
expend		falling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: use¹
4 letters: work¹
5 letters: wield¹
6 letters: extend², strain¹, employ², assert², expend²
7 letters: operate³, utilize³, utilise
8 letters: exercise³, maintain²

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (extend² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: exercer
Italiano: esercitare
Español: ejercer
Català: exercir