exertion

/ɪɡˈzɜːʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ig-ˈzər-shən/ (ame, mw)

exertion — noun

  • exertionsingular
  • exertionsplural

1. the act of putting great energy into something, whether through the body or the

1.名詞B2
釋義

the act of putting great energy into something, whether through the body or the mind, often to the point of tiredness

例句

The steep climb up the mountain left Ananya gasping from the exertion.

collocation: from the exertion

Farid felt a deep ache in his shoulders after the exertion of moving furniture all afternoon.

同義詞
  • effort

    more general and common; 'effort' covers mild attempts, while 'exertion' implies intensity and strain

  • strain

    emphasises the damaging or painful side of overexertion

  • labour

    suggests sustained physical work, often manual

反義詞
  • rest

    the absence of exertion; recovery from effort

  • leisure

    free time without demanding activity

用法筆記

Often used with adjectives like 'physical,' 'mental,' 'great,' or 'strenuous' to describe the type or intensity of the effort. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes applying power over others rather than straining oneself.

常見錯誤

I did an exertion to finish the report.
The exertion of finishing the report left me drained.
💡'exertion' is not used as a countable action like 'an effort'; it refers to the process or state of straining.

2. the act of using one's authority, power, or influence to bring about a result

2.名詞B2
釋義

the act of using one's authority, power, or influence to bring about a result

例句

The new policy only moved forward after Professor Wen's exertion of influence on the committee.

collocation: exertion of influence

Tariq believed the dispute could be settled without the exertion of legal authority.

同義詞
  • exercise

    more neutral and common; 'exercise of power' is the everyday equivalent

  • application

    suggests deliberate, focused use of something for a purpose

  • wielding

    implies confident, sometimes aggressive use of power

反義詞
  • abdication

    the formal giving up of power or responsibility

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'of' + the kind of power being used. The subject is typically a person, institution, or government in a position of authority. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about straining oneself physically or mentally rather than applying power over others.

常見錯誤

The manager used exertion to change the rules.
The manager's exertion of authority changed the rules.
💡sense 2 requires naming the power being exerted with 'exertion + of + (authority, power, influence).'