endeavor

1 of 2

verb

en·​deav·​or in-ˈde-vər How to pronounce endeavor (audio)
endeavored; endeavoring in-ˈde-v(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce endeavor (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to attempt (something, such as the fulfillment of an obligation) by exertion of effort
endeavors to finish the race
2
archaic : to strive to achieve or reach

intransitive verb

: to work with set purpose

endeavor

2 of 2

noun

1
: serious determined effort
2
: activity directed toward a goal : enterprise
fields of endeavor
Choose the Right Synonym for endeavor

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end.

attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

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

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Examples of endeavor in a Sentence

Verb As urbanization advanced, it swept away the distinctive physical and social characteristics of the culture of the past, substituting undifferentiated built environments and standardized patterns of dress and behavior. Hand-camera users endeavored to reaffirm individuality and arrest time in the face of the encroaching depersonalization of existence. Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989
At some time in their careers, most good historians itch to write a history of the world, endeavor to discover what makes humanity the most destructive and creative of species. Paul Johnson, New York Times Book Review, 7 Apr. 1985
The school endeavors to teach students to be good citizens. They endeavored to create a government that truly serves its people. Noun Sgt. Pepper was our grandest endeavor. Ringo Starr, in The Beatles Anthology, 2000
Science has traditionally accepted the smartest students, the most committed and self-sacrificing researchers, and the cleanest money—that is, money with the fewest political strings attached. In both theory and practice, science in this century has been perceived as a noble endeavor. Science, 13 Feb. 1998
The miraculous thing I have to report, a secret so precious I hesitate to share it, is how docilely and utterly the critic in one goes to sleep when a creative endeavor is afoot. John Updike, New York Times Book Review, 21 June 1987
His endeavors have gone unrewarded. She is involved in several artistic endeavors. Technology is the fastest-changing area of human endeavor.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
These watches showcase the versatility of the material and the creative processes of the brands that endeavor to use it. Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2025 Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images The Super Bowl halftime show ran for over 30 years before endeavoring to spotlight its first rap verse. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
Even with the potential savings of recent cuts, stimulus checks are an incredibly expensive endeavor for a government already deeply in debt and facing no pandemic-level emergency to undertake. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025 In addition, the Harlem native implied that Dash’s work ethic has waned, while his other associates have continued to break new ground in their own endeavors. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for endeavor

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English endeveren to exert oneself, from en- + dever duty — more at devoir

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of endeavor was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Endeavor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endeavor. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

endeavor

verb
en·​deav·​or
in-ˈdev-ər
endeavored; endeavoring
-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to make an effort : try
2
: to work for a particular goal or result
endeavor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on endeavor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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