exerted
v.v. to use power, effort, or influence to make something happen. You use this when you are working hard or trying to control a situation.
v. to apply or bring to bear a quality, force, or influence. Transitive; requires a direct object, typically an abstract noun like 'pressure', 'influence', or 'authority'.
She exerted all her strength to open the heavy door.
The local community exerted significant pressure on the council to stop the new development.
The empire exerted its cultural influence over the neighboring regions for centuries, long after its military power had begun to fade.
The verb is transitive and typically takes abstract nouns as objects.
He exerted to finish the workHe exerted himself to finish the workWhen used to mean 'putting in effort', the verb is reflexive and requires 'himself', 'herself', or 'myself'.