en·deav·or
in-ˈde-vər 
endeavored; endeavoring
in-ˈde-v(ə-)riŋ
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
: to work with set purpose
1
: serious determined effort
2
: activity directed toward a goal : enterprise
fields of endeavor
Synonyms
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.
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
Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024
This is an historic fort built in 1813 that the Yacht Week founders endeavored to restore in partnership with Croatian authorities back in 2012.
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Anto Dotcom, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Our endeavor to put straight lines onto curved landscapes makes no sense.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for endeavor 
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Verb
The sentence drew a strong ovation from those endeavoring to preserve and protect our wobbling democracy.
—Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024
This is an historic fort built in 1813 that the Yacht Week founders endeavored to restore in partnership with Croatian authorities back in 2012.
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Noun
The more varied one’s endeavors, the more profound the discoveries.
—Anto Dotcom, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Our endeavor to put straight lines onto curved landscapes makes no sense.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for endeavor
Dictionary Entries Near endeavor
Cite this Entry
“Endeavor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endeavor. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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