Exert

exert
    v 1: put to use; "exert one's power or influence" [syn: {exert},
         {exercise}]
    2: have and exercise; "wield power and authority" [syn: {wield},
       {exert}, {maintain}]
    3: make a great effort at a mental or physical task; "exert
       oneself"
    

Exert \Ex*ert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Exerted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Exerting}.] [L. exertus, exsertus, p. p. of exerere,
   exserere, to thrust out; ex out + serere to join or bind
   together. See {Series}, and cf. {Exsert}.]
   1. To thrust forth; to emit; to push out. [Obs.]
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            So from the seas exerts his radiant head
            The star by whom the lights of heaven are led.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   2. To put force, ability, or anything of the nature of an
      active faculty; to put in vigorous action; to bring into
      active operation; as, to exert the strength of the body,
      limbs, faculties, or imagination; to exert the mind or the
      voice.
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   3. To put forth, as the result or exercise of effort; to
      bring to bear; to do or perform.
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            When we will has exerted an act of command on any
            faculty of the soul or member of the body. --South.
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   {To exert one's self}, to use efforts or endeavors; to
      strive; to make an attempt.
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33 Moby Thesaurus words for "exert":
      apply, attempt, bring into play, bring to bear, bust a gut,
      do with, employ, endeavor, exercise, expend, go all out, handle,
      make an effort, make use of, manage, manipulate, operate, play,
      ply, practice, push, put forth, put out, strain, strive, struggle,
      throw, toil, try, use, utilize, wield, work