Exerts control is a term used to describe a situation in which one person or group has the power to make decisions and influence the actions of others. This term can be seen in the two crossword solutions DOMINATES (9 letters) and PULLSTHESTRINGS (15 letters). DOMINATES implies that the person or group in control has the power to make decisions and influence the actions of others, while PULLSTHESTRINGS suggests that the person or group in control is manipulating the actions of others from behind the scenes. Together, these two solutions illustrate the concept of exerting control.