endeavor

[en-dev-er]

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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

Related Words for endeavored

aspire, undertake, strive, essay, scratch, strain, hassle, determine, apply, intend, seek, try, hump, labor, hustle, assay, risk, offer, purpose, address

Examples from the Web for endeavored

Contemporary Examples of endeavored

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
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

Historical Examples of endeavored

My field of labor was my own heart, which I endeavored to render pure in the sight of God.
Biography of a Slave
Charles Thompson
He then endeavored to effect an escape, by flight, 277 and the Indians followed after him.
Chronicles of Border Warfare
Alexander Scott Withers
Henriette endeavored to comfort them, but it was in a voice that quavered strangely.
The Downfall
Emile Zola
He endeavored to move away, but made some noise and the man heard him.
Louisiana Lou
William West Winter
I endeavored to ascertain who was in the room and what was going on there.
Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille
Emile Zola

Word Origin and History for endeavored

endeavor

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

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.