Exerting oneself means to put in a great effort or to STRIVE for something. The term can be broken down into four crossword solutions: STRIVE (6 letters), BESTIR (6 letters), TRYHARD (7 letters), and LIFTAFINGER (11 letters). STRIVE means to make an effort to achieve or attain something, BESTIR means to stir up or rouse oneself into action, TRYHARD means to make a great effort, and LIFTAFINGER means to make a minimal effort. All of these terms are related to the idea of exerting oneself.