How to Use exertion in a Sentence

exertion

noun
  • He was panting from the exertion of climbing the stairs.
  • His face was flush and not from exertion.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • In times of stress or exertion, the blood flow in one artery would cut off.
    — Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Jan. 2023
  • The heat made my heart beat faster even for a little exertion.
    — Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Apr. 2018
  • Not just ran, but went at full force and then would stop, showing no signs of exertion.
    — Ryan Parker, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2017
  • The exertion dampens some of the mirth.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • The ground was rough and my legs were shaking from the exertion in the saddle.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
  • And a drink near a stone hearth is the perfect reward for the day’s exertion.
    — Danielle Hallock, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025
  • On his bad days, just the thought of showering felt like too much exertion.
    — Cj Moore, The Athletic, 11 Feb. 2025
  • My heart beat faster and my breathing got heavier—and not from exertion.
    — Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 13 July 2023
  • If women hold up half the sky, perhaps more of them should be paid for their exertions.
    — The Economist, 28 Apr. 2018
  • Out comes a guttural groan, her exertion a tight whip cracking open a black hole of pain.
    — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
  • Then there was noise—quick steps, a huffing and puffing, an exertion.
    — David Remnick, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2023
  • And avoid exertion outdoors, as cold weather strains the heart.
    — Ann Zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, 5 Jan. 2018
  • Strapping a motor to a bike turns out to alter more than just speed and exertion.
    — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022
  • If all this exertion is calling you to get a massage, that can be arranged, too.
    — Jean Chen Smith, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2021
  • Turns out that was about the extent of his physical exertion this week.
    — Nathan Baird, cleveland, 24 Sep. 2021
  • Muscles bulging and soaked in sweat, his face is etched in a grimace of extreme exertion.
    — Sarah Shephard, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Her expression is calm—the sweat on her face and on her white tank top are the only signs of exertion.
    — Jennifer Leuzzi, Bon Appetit, 21 Aug. 2017
  • That means less exertion and fatigue for patients.
    — Mack Degeurin Aug 21, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Just like in fitness, recovery is a key part of exertion.
    — Bill Hoogterp, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The patient suffered shortness of breath on exertion and chest pain.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021
  • To siphon off a small piece of such an asset is to get rich quickly and with minimal exertion.
    — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 19 Jan. 2018
  • Can a teenage mother stranded in a refugee camp resolve her crisis by a mere exertion of will?
    — Moisés Naím, Washington Post, 7 June 2019
  • Think dim sum without the carts, or a buffet without the exertion of walking to get your own food.
    — Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 3 Nov. 2017
  • If outside, try to stay out of the sun and limit physical exertion.
    — Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2021
  • Phillips has his cast strain for effect, but neither the script nor the filming rises to their exertions.
    — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024
  • There’s a lot of prep work that goes into that, there’s a lot of physical exertion that goes into that.
    — Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 9 June 2018
  • The feature's chief purpose is to give you an exertion goal to hit and track your progress toward it in real time.
    — Corey Gaskin, Ars Technica, 30 Apr. 2022
  • The exercise does not have to be for a long period of time or require a lot of exertion.
    — chicagotribune.com, 1 Oct. 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exertion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: