endeavor

[ en-dev-er ]

/ ɛnˈdɛv ər /

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.

Nearby words

endbrain, endcap, endear, endearing, endearment, endeavor, endeavour, endecott, endecott, john, ended, endemic

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

SYNONYMS FOR endeavor

1, 2 See try.

4 See effort.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR endeavor ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

He was gracious enough to tell us the behind-the-scenes story of his “endeavor of the heart.”
The Inside Story of Johnny Cash’s Legendary Lost LP, ‘Out Among the Stars’|Andrew Romano|March 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Eleanor realized her error and had common sense enough not to endeavor to explain it away.
Polly's Business Venture|Lillian Elizabeth Roy
Occasionally a foolish and intermeddling spectator will endeavor to show his brilliancy by experimenting with the animals.
Sawdust & Spangles|W. C. Coup
Mother Earth will endeavor to attract and appeal to all those who oppose encroachment on public and individual life.
Mother Earth, Vol. 1 No. 1, March 1906|Various
Let us now endeavor to learn how the gospel produces this change.
The Spirit and the Word|Zachary Taylor Sweeney
The children then endeavor to excel each other in writing down the names of the objects which they have seen.
Memory|William Walker Atkinson

Word Origin and History for endeavor (1 of 2)

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.

Word Origin and History for endeavor (1 of 2)

endeavor

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

endeavor

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of endeavor

Examples from the Web for endeavor

Word Origin and History for endeavor (1 of 2)

endeavor

Word Origin and History for endeavor (1 of 2)

endeavor