1
: conscious exertion of power : hard work
a job requiring time and effort
2
: a serious attempt : try
making an effort to reduce costs
3
: something produced by exertion or trying
the novel was her most ambitious effort
4
: effective force as distinguished from the possible resistance called into action by such a force
5
: the total work done to achieve a particular end
the war effort
Synonyms
Examples of effort in a Sentence
He put a lot of effort into finishing the project on time.
It wasn't easy, but it was worth the effort.
We need to expend more effort.
The job will require a great deal of time and effort.
Our success is due to the combined efforts of many people.
Her efforts were rewarded with a new contract.
He lost the campaign despite the best efforts of his supporters.
Even though they didn't win, the team made a good effort.
Her early efforts at writing a novel were awkward.
Despite my best efforts, I never found out who she was.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The return of 17 captives held in Gaza sets up another release of Palestinian prisoners, amid efforts to keep the truce in place beyond Monday.
—
Eric Morath, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
When Biden took office in 2021, he was determined not to spend his time and energy on fruitless efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
—Matthew Duss, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2023
For his efforts, Silverstein received the Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award from the DGA in 1985 and was named an honorary life member of the guild in 1990.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2023
After 20 children and six educators were killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, Jones repeatedly said on his show that the shooting never happened and was staged in an effort to tighten gun laws.
—CBS News, 27 Nov. 2023
Often, the aircraft passing the tower will wing-wag to acknowledge our efforts, and the helicopters will sound a siren salute.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
After the attack, Ms. Haley, who was then governor, went from supporting the efforts of faith groups to resettle refugees in South Carolina to aggressively fighting the Obama administration on the admission of Syrians fleeing violence, citing concerns over the vetting process.
—Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2023
California California lawmakers revive effort to ban involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes
Feb. 27, 2023
Prison officials did not respond to questions about whether the proposal to increase wages is related to the discussion about removing involuntary servitude from the constitution.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2023
The former mayor also faces a criminal racketeering indictment that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis returned in August against him and 18 others, including former President Donald Trump, for efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 15 Nov. 2023
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Eric Morath, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
When Biden took office in 2021, he was determined not to spend his time and energy on fruitless efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
—Matthew Duss, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2023
For his efforts, Silverstein received the Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award from the DGA in 1985 and was named an honorary life member of the guild in 1990.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2023
After 20 children and six educators were killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, Jones repeatedly said on his show that the shooting never happened and was staged in an effort to tighten gun laws.
—CBS News, 27 Nov. 2023
Often, the aircraft passing the tower will wing-wag to acknowledge our efforts, and the helicopters will sound a siren salute.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
After the attack, Ms. Haley, who was then governor, went from supporting the efforts of faith groups to resettle refugees in South Carolina to aggressively fighting the Obama administration on the admission of Syrians fleeing violence, citing concerns over the vetting process.
—Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2023
California California lawmakers revive effort to ban involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes
Feb. 27, 2023
Prison officials did not respond to questions about whether the proposal to increase wages is related to the discussion about removing involuntary servitude from the constitution.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2023
The former mayor also faces a criminal racketeering indictment that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis returned in August against him and 18 others, including former President Donald Trump, for efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 15 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'effort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle French, from Old French esforz, esfort, from esforcier to force, from ex- + forcier to force
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of effort was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing effort
Dictionary Entries Near effort
Cite this Entry
“Effort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effort. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
effort
noun
ef·fort
ˈef-ərt 
-ˌȯrt
1
: hard work of mind or body
requires time and effort
2
: a serious attempt : try
made a good effort
3
: something produced by work
this painting was one of my best efforts
4
: the force applied to a simple machine (as a lever) in contrast to the force applied by it against a load
More from Merriam-Webster on effort
Nglish: Translation of effort for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of effort for Arabic Speakers
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