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

Examples 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

Washing wine glasses can be a nerve-wracking endeavor: One wrong move and disaster can strike. —

Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Dec. 2024 The search for the best hotels in New York City isn’t exactly the easiest endeavor. —

Elise Taylor, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024

Verb

Still, Democrats are endeavoring to preserve the provisions, privately offering Republicans a deal for a one-year extension of the subsidies Thursday night, according to The Washington Post. —

Joseph Choi, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024 Part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, these ordinances endeavor to help New York City reach its goal of decreasing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. —

Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for endeavor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for endeavor

Noun

All morning, firefighting helicopters and airplanes dropped water and fire retardant on fire lines not far from the 405 Freeway in an attempt to prevent flames from engulfing more neighborhoods.

Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
That's because Blue Origin aims to recover the first stage of the New Glenn rocket, and sea states in the Atlantic Ocean have been unsuitable for an initial attempt to catch the first stage booster on a drone ship.

Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025