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

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

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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

From there, the movie traces Washington’s military endeavors during the French and Indian War. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 July 2026 The Néo7 Alpine seems like a handy, little featherlight adventure knife that could serve well as a primary knife for ultralight activities like rock climbing or as a complement to other knives and tools for less weight-conscious endeavors. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Verb

The White House is endeavoring to smash the Guinness World Record for the largest-ever pyrotechnic display by shooting off 50 times more fireworks than last year. — Char Miller, Time, 30 June 2026 By unionizing, the group is additionally endeavoring to ensure greater job protections, more transparency about pay and promotion standards, and have more of a say in the corporate environment. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for endeavor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for endeavor

Noun

No one expects Moreno to spend like the Dodgers do (and even Walter’s fellow owners want a salary cap in an attempt to stop the Dodgers).

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
One interception attempt resulted in a large explosion that spectacularly blew the roof off a fuel tank.

— Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of attempt

Verb

In another moment of the exchange, which was released by authorities and did not include timestamps, Robinson writes about potentially trying to retrieve his rifle but says a law enforcement car is nearby.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Some Palestinians even try to hang food containers on the ceiling of their tents to keep them out of reach.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of try

Verb

Acuff got off to a much better start after struggling to make shots in his summer league debut on Saturday.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Definition of struggle

Verb

But others are still at work, laboring under a new collective bargaining agreement with another labor organization, the International Longshoremen’s Association.

— Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
The infant had been trapped for almost three days; a team of rescuers from Fairfax, Virginia, had been laboring to reach the boy, who was nine months old, for at least six hours.

— Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026

Definition of labor

Verb

The detective is accused of falsifying hours while working an off-duty security detail at a Target store.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 8 July 2026
In the episode, Monsignor Sarno — who spent 40 years working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints — said canonization is meant to highlight an individual’s life path as an example for conscience in their specific circumstance.

— Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026

Definition of work

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endear (to)

endeavor

endeavored

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“Endeavor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endeavor. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of endeavor

noun

verb

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