(1) 尽(力)，施加(压力)，发挥(威力)，使受(影响)，行使(职权)(bring forcefully into use or action) [T+n，T+n+prep(on)]：～one's authority/one's utmost (every effort)/direct control of 行使职权/尽一切力量/对 …… 进行直接控制; Air～s pressure. 空气可增加压力。If you～all your strength you can move that rock. 如果你尽全力的话就能移动那块岩石。He～ed his influence to get his daughter a place in the university. 他施加影响为女儿在大学谋求一个位置。My father～ed a lot of pressure on me to succeed. 我父亲为了让我成功对我施加了很大的压力。〖同〗 exercise，employ，use，utilize，apply，discharge;

(2) 努(尽，出)力，使劲 (make an effort;try hard;strive)[T+n，无pass]：～oneself (to the utmost)/for the general good 尽全力/为公众的利益尽力;He～ed himself trying to earn good marks/to please the girl. 他努力获得好成绩/试图取悦那个女孩子。He never～s himself (much) to help others. 他从来都不(怎么)努力帮助别人。Please～yourself and try to finish this job. 请你尽力完成这项工作。If you～yourself you can win this race. 如果你尽力的话就能赢得这场比赛。I hope you will～yourself on my behalf. 我希望你能多帮帮我的忙。

→ e′xertion n 努(尽)力，行使;e′xertive adj 努(尽，费)力的;

【辨异】exertion与application、effort和endeavour的区别见APPLICATION。