英汉词典

1. 施加（影响、压力等）;行使，运用（权威等）
    If someone or something exerts influence, authority, or pressure, they use it in a strong or determined way, especially in order to produce a particular effect.

exert

    e.g. He exerted considerable influence on the thinking of the scientific community on these issues...
           他极大地影响了科学界对这些问题的看法。
    e.g. The cyst was causing swelling and exerting pressure on her brain.
           那个囊肿正在引起肿胀，压迫着她的大脑。

2. 尽力;努力
    If you exert yourself, you make a great physical or mental effort, or work hard to do something.

exert的近义词

    e.g. Youngsters get so absorbed that they don't realise how much they're exerting themselves...
           年轻人如此地沉浸其中，他们没有意识到自己有多么努力。
    e.g. Do not exert yourself unnecessarily.
           不要做无谓的努力。