endeavor 1 of 2

as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something the hope that this latest endeavor will yield much information about the atmosphere of the planet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

endeavor

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb endeavor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of endeavor are attempt, essay, strive, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

Where would attempt be a reasonable alternative to endeavor?

The synonyms attempt and endeavor are sometimes interchangeable, but attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

When might essay be a better fit than endeavor?

Although the words essay and endeavor have much in common, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

In what contexts can strive take the place of endeavor?

The meanings of strive and endeavor largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

How do try and attempt relate to one another, in the sense of endeavor?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of endeavor
Noun
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s (CME) introduced a futures contract for uranium in 2007, but the endeavor has had little success, due to a lack of liquidity, according to Goenka. April Roach, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025 The singer and songwriter was known for keeping the group together after Roger Hodgson pursued other endeavors following a band dispute in 1983. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Beatrice is also the proud new patron of Borne, a medical research charity endeavoring to end premature birth. Janine Henni, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Leighton said that’s exactly the kind of etiquette slight people need to endeavor to avoid. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for endeavor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endeavor
Noun
  • This story contains graphic descriptions of suicide attempts.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Then, at the end of the episode, Slightly pulls Arthur’s body into a ventilation shaft, in what could be a belated act of regret or an attempt to preserve a Xenomorph host body before any other aliens can eat it.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Chronic striving has its downsides, though.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When multiple businesses strive to outdo each other, the result is better products, improved services and more choices for consumers.
    Levi King, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Then there were those epic Pac-12 shindigs, when Harbaugh was trying to resurrect the Stanford program and Carroll was pulling the levels during one of USC’s glory eras, with the advantage going to Harbaugh, 2-1.
    Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Through these tactics, Iftiu is trying to pay forward the generosity he's received within the system.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Traditional data lakes can store raw data at scale but lack quality controls, while warehouses enforce structure but struggle with unstructured or fast changing data.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Almost half of those who abided by boundaries (45%) reported low burnout, compared to 6% of those who struggled to do so.
    Samantha Dewalt, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Chiefs players spent training camp laboring at hot, humid Missouri Western State University.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • During that season Clark was laboring to teach all his defensive linemen a new technique to use, and players would have to film themselves working on it, and send it into the coaches.
    Omar Kelly August 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • How do these different agencies work together?
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The mixer's bowl boasts a distinctive walnut shade and wood grain pattern, and its food-safe seal means the bowl works hard (and looks good doing it).
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endeavor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endeavor. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on endeavor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!