Basic Details
Word: Exerted
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Used effort, force or influence to make something happen. If you exerted yourself, you worked very hard, especially with your body.
Synonyms: applied, used, put forth
Antonyms: withheld
How to Spell Exerted
Syllables: ex - ert - ed
Tricky part: There is no c after the x, and the vowel in ert is e, not u. The ending is ed.
Watch out for: excerted, exurted, exertid
Memory tip: Exert begins with the same four letters as exercise: e-x-e-r. You exert yourself when you exercise.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The moon exerts a pull on the oceans that causes tides.
Example 2: Grandpa exerted himself so much in the garden that he needed a nap.
Example 3: The captain exerted a calm influence on the nervous team.
Fun Fact
Even when you stand still, you exert a force on the floor equal to your weight, and the floor pushes back with the same force.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word exerted as used in the sentence:
The rower exerted all her strength to pull ahead in the last hundred metres.
a) withheld
b) used
c) applied
d) exercised
Show answer
a) withheld. To withhold strength is to hold it back instead of using it.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The young athlete dexteer every muscle to lift the heavy weight.
a) exempted
b) extorted
c) exerted
d) exalted
Show answer
c) exerted. The jumble has an r but no m, p, l or o, which rules out the other three: the athlete exerted every muscle.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
ex_rt_d
a) u, e
b) i, e
c) e, i
d) e, e
Show answer
d) e, e. Exert gives the first e, and the past ending ed gives the second.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Someone who exerted influence on a decision ____.
a) ignored it
b) forgot about it
c) helped shape it
d) was not present
Show answer
c) helped shape it
2. Which sentence is correct?
a) He exerted himself to finish the race.
b) He exerted at the race.
c) He exerted himself the race.
d) He exerted the race to finish.
Show answer
a) He exerted himself to finish the race.
