endeavor

[ en-dev-er ]

/ ɛnˈdɛv ər /

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See synonyms for: endeavor / endeavored / endeavoring / endeavors 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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially British, en·deav·our .

Origin of endeavor

First recorded in 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

synonym study for endeavor

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

OTHER WORDS FROM endeavor

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

How to use endeavor in a sentence

In addition to the thunderous powers that await, there are quieter endeavors.
‘Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity’: A semi-satisfying new piece of the ‘Zelda’ universe|Harold Goldberg|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
She took the time to focus on social justice causes and other charitable endeavors but also got a chance to rest and watch as a fan.
To see why Tina Charles is a future Hall of Famer, just watch her work off the court|Kareem Copeland|November 4, 2020|Washington Post
Central to that endeavor is self-reliance in chips, the building blocks for innovations from artificial intelligence to fifth-generation networking and autonomous vehicles.
China’s new five year economic plan stresses ‘sustainable’ growth—and self-reliance in the tech sector|kdunn6|October 29, 2020|Fortune
In the long term this moves to internet communities taking on societal endeavors.
Crypto-driven marketplace Zora raises $2M to build a sustainable creator economy|Matthew Panzarino|October 16, 2020|TechCrunch

That’s a good thing because buying into the system isn’t a cheap endeavor.
NordicTrack’s connected workout bike puts the focus on competing against yourself|Stan Horaczek|October 15, 2020|Popular-Science
One U.S. defense official noted the initial program at Camp 27 endeavored to train 100 Libyan special operations soldiers.
Jihadists Now Control Secretive U.S. Base in Libya|Eli Lake|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, I endeavored to strive even harder so that I would not debase his legacy.
If You Grow Up Indian-American, College Graduation Isn’t Enough|Anita Raghavan|May 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That night one of them endeavored to storm the magazine, burnt and plundered the station, and marched off towards Delhi.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Jane, with her eyes riveted upon her dying parent, endeavored to hold the light.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
He subsequently endeavored, again and again, to reinstate himself in her favor, but in vain.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
What we desire to learn now is, how to effect a remedy; this we have endeavored to point out.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany
Those who have endeavored to talk with them speak of their utterance as being inarticulate in sound.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris