endeavor

[en-dev-er]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR endeavor ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive: We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.

verb (used with object)

to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.

Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.

noun

a strenuous effort; attempt.

Also especially British, en·deav·our.

Origin of endeavor

1350–1400; Middle English endeveren, from the phrase putten in devoir to make an effort, assume responsibility; compare Anglo-French se mettre en deveir. See en-¹, devoir

Related formsen·deav·or·er; especially British, en·deav·our·er, nounpre·en·deav·or, noun

Synonyms for endeavor

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR endeavor ON THESAURUS.COM

1, 2. See try. 4. See effort.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for endeavor

Contemporary Examples of endeavor

He stops after a second, looks around him and laughs, apparently realizing the absurdity of the endeavor.
The Walking Dead’s Midseason Finale Shocker: A Cherished Character Meets a Grisly End
Melissa Leon
December 1, 2014
Looking back, our readers gave us all the faith we needed to pursue this endeavor.
Motherless Daughters and Parentless Parents Trek to the Andes to Aid Orphans
Allison Gilbert
August 21, 2014
Critical to this endeavor is the drumroll of hell-fire sermons from the tub-thumpers of talk radio and Fox News.
The Tea Party Isn’t a Political Movement, It’s a Religious One
Jack Schwartz
July 13, 2014
That Record Store Day endeavor came less than a year after White set about his solo career.
Jack White Sets World Record for Fastest Record Release
April Siese
April 22, 2014
If he is successful in that endeavor, John Kasich could be the most formidable 2016 GOP candidate you do not know—yet.
Is John Kasich The Most Formidable 2016 GOP Candidate You Don’t Know?
Myra Adams
April 12, 2014

Historical Examples of endeavor

Let us, then, look to the great cause, and endeavor to preserve it in full force.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
This is too well-known a truth for me to endeavor to conceal it, especially from you.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
And even then they did not know the full extent of her endeavor.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
“I don't know how Fritz would make out in that field of endeavor,” he said.
The Dare Boys of 1776
Stephen Angus Cox
In the meantime our present work must be to endeavor to locate their cache.
The Law-Breakers
Ridgwell Cullum

Word Origin and History for endeavor

early 15c., "pains taken to attain an object," literally "in duty," from phrase put (oneself) in dever "make it one's duty" (a partial translation of Old French mettre en deveir "put in duty"), from Old French dever "duty," from Latin debere "to owe" (see debt). One's endeavors meaning one's "utmost effort" is from late 15c.

c.1400; see endeavor (n.). Related: Endeavored; endeavoring.