From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishexertex‧ert /ɪɡˈzɜːt $ -ɜːrt/ ●○○ verb [transitive] 1 USE somethingto use your power, influence etc in order to make something happen They exerted considerable influence within the school. Environmental groups are exerting pressure on the government to tighten pollution laws.2 → exert yourselfCOLLOCATIONSnounsexert pressureDid Democratic leaders exert pressure on their colleagues to vote for the new law?exert influenceThese large companies exert considerable influence over the government.exert controlThe state should not exert control over the media.exert powerHe exerts considerable power within the family.exert authorityIt is every parent's responsibility to exert their authority by laying down some firm rules.exert disciplineExerting discipline is essential, especially when there are problem students in the class.exert effortWe exerted every effort to get there on time.exert your will (=make something happen in the way that you want)The army exerted its will by arresting anti-government supporters. → See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
exert• In later poems she is usually shown as treacherous and malicious, exerting a deadly and destructive power over men.• This time around no great pressure was exerted by the home team.• Does a team that has to exert itself to get to 38-44 deserve a place at the big table?• Much of this was spontaneous, although a number of small syndicalist and Marxist parties were able to exert some influence.• But it was not long before the harsh facts of economic and social life exerted their pressure.• Dayton is a young Gentleman of talents, with an ambition to exert them.exerting pressure on• Adversarial attitudes still exist and the Government is exerting pressure on the industry to tackle this problem.Origin exert (1600-1700) Latin exsertus, past participle of exserere “to push out” 