ENDEAVOR Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'endeavor' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of endeavor are attempt , essay , strive , and try . While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty. // endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

Q: Where would 'attempt' be a reasonable alternative to 'endeavor'?

The synonyms attempt and endeavor are sometimes interchangeable, but attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort. // will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Q: When might 'essay' be a better fit than 'endeavor'?

Although the words essay and endeavor have much in common, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting. // will essay a dramatic role for the first time

Q: In what contexts can 'strive' take the place of 'endeavor'?

The meanings of strive and endeavor largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort. // continues to strive for peace

Q: How do 'try' and 'attempt' relate to one another, in the sense of 'endeavor'?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something. // tried to determine which was the better procedure

endeavor 1 of 2

noun

Definition of endeavor next

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something the hope that this latest endeavor will yield much information about the atmosphere of the planet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

endeavor

2 of 2

verb

in-ˈde-vər

as in to strive

to devote serious and sustained effort the trapped climber endeavored mightily to get the boulder to budge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to attempt

to make an effort to do our club is forever endeavoring to find ways to raise more money for activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb endeavor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of endeavor are attempt, essay, strive, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

Where would attempt be a reasonable alternative to endeavor?

The synonyms attempt and endeavor are sometimes interchangeable, but attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

When might essay be a better fit than endeavor?

Although the words essay and endeavor have much in common, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

In what contexts can strive take the place of endeavor?

The meanings of strive and endeavor largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

How do try and attempt relate to one another, in the sense of endeavor?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of endeavor

Noun

Much like a child’s creative endeavors, the goal isn’t perfection but to liven everything up. —

Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025 Any Trump tariffs on Canadian crude oil exports could complicate that endeavor. —

Daniel Moore, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025

Verb

The 613 men had traveled from their native Niger to neighboring Libya, where many of them planned to reach Europe over the Mediterranean Sea, a journey thousands of people from sub-Saharan Africa endeavor to make every year. —

Elian Peltier, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Harris endeavored to use the political vulnerability against Trump during their one and only debate last September. —

Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for endeavor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for endeavor

Noun

Miguel’s third successful 3-pointer in as many attempts gave them an 18-13 lead, and a pair of free throws by Rice inflated that advantage to 20-14.

— Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
Some grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s and Kroger, have placed limits on the amount of eggs shoppers can purchase in an attempt to address the shortage.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2025