exert

verb

1. (transitive)To make use of, to apply, especially of something non-material; to bring to bear.

   “He considered exerting his influence on John to gain an advantage for himself.”

   “Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.”

   “Di Matteo clearly saw Drogba's power as a potential threat to a Barcelona defence stripped of Gerard Pique - but he barely caught sight of goal in a first 45 minutes in which the Catalans exerted their technical superiority.”

   “How can the unions - or more specifically the RMT - possibly think this is a good time to exert a bit of industrial muscle and indulge in strikes both on the national railway and the London Underground?”

2. (reflexive)To put in vigorous action.

   “I exerted myself in today's training.”