exertions

noun

plural of exertion
as in efforts
the active use of energy in producing a result the number of blueberries that we were finding was hardly worth the exertion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exertions Lula very pointedly locates the threat differently, emphasizing the ability to resist a foreign power’s undue exertions of leverage. — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 Ayuso possibly lacks the top-end explosivity, while surely Mas’ legs are not in race-winning shape given his exertions over the past month — but the Mallorcan is in the form of his career. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 With that, his exertions in perfecting his homegrown colony process—the green smoothie for caterpillars, testing procedures for parasites—came into clearer view for me. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 Thanks to the quality of the fish, word of mouth, foreign guidebooks, and now Moe’s exertions on Instagram, there are long lines at the door, especially on weekends. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Not everyone appreciated the exertions. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 Ahmad plays Shah Latif, a British Pakistani actor, who, owing to the exertions of his faithful, often frustrated agent, Felicia (Weruche Opia), is improbably auditioning to be the next James Bond. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026 Vaccarello, who was born and raised in Belgium to Sicilian parents, spends a month in Los Angeles twice each year, usually in March and November, a recuperation from the semiannual exertions of the women’s collection. — Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025 The little girl began to feel drowsy after her exertions at the swimming pool and decided to curl up beside her. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exertions
  1. efforts
  2. works
  3. pains
Noun
  • The force, which rose to a peak of about 5,000 troops over the summer, has supported arrest operations, patrolled city streets and neighborhoods, and participated in cleanup efforts.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The coffee shop is going to be the training ground for the organization’s new Latte Life Academy, which will be part of the nonprofit’s workforce training efforts.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of efforts
Noun
  • Keynesianism gets a brain freeze John Maynard Keynes is basically the father of macroeconomics, the study of how the entire economy works, including what the government can do to fight recessions, boost employment, and control inflation.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Several works confront the digital systems shaping contemporary life, subverting algorithms and finding room for human error and agency.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of works
Noun
  • In the past, Fox News has taken pains to illustrate to its viewers how the election could tilt blue.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Symptoms usually begin within two weeks and can last nearly three weeks, including aches and pains, nausea and rashes.
    — Angie DiMichele, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of pains

Browse Nearby Words

exertion
exertions
exerts
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exertions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exertions. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All