as in works
the active use of energy in producing a result
the finished parade float was well worth the effort
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Recent Examples of efforts
In at least six instances, people have survived the operations, spurring efforts to find and rescue them in most cases.
—
CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Speaker Mike Johnson has previously been opposed to expulsion efforts and has argued that lawmakers deserve due process.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The European Union urged further diplomatic efforts.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
But Charlotte’s late-game efforts were all for naught, with the best look in the game’s final minutes, a header by Rodolfo Aloko, sailing into the supporters’ section following a corner kick.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2026
But the militant group has survived efforts to curb its strength for decades.
—E. Eduardo Castillo, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Ethan Hu of Bishop’s won a Grand Award for a project detailing his efforts to make hardware and software solutions for blind or visually impaired people that are more cost-effective, flexible and efficient.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
And why do their efforts resonate so powerfully today?
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Thanks to the efforts of Protect Kids Colorado, Initiative 109 will appear on the ballot.
—Lisa Frizell, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Speaker Mike Johnson has previously been opposed to expulsion efforts and has argued that lawmakers deserve due process.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The European Union urged further diplomatic efforts.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
But Charlotte’s late-game efforts were all for naught, with the best look in the game’s final minutes, a header by Rodolfo Aloko, sailing into the supporters’ section following a corner kick.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2026
But the militant group has survived efforts to curb its strength for decades.
—E. Eduardo Castillo, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Ethan Hu of Bishop’s won a Grand Award for a project detailing his efforts to make hardware and software solutions for blind or visually impaired people that are more cost-effective, flexible and efficient.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
And why do their efforts resonate so powerfully today?
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Thanks to the efforts of Protect Kids Colorado, Initiative 109 will appear on the ballot.
—Lisa Frizell, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for efforts
Noun
-
How scholars became aware of the Gimo archive, which includes nineteen works for mandolin, collected in Italy by the son of a Swedish iron manufacturer in 1762.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The exquisite works conceived by Taiwanese jeweler Cindy Chao for over two decades can trace their roots back two generations.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ahmad plays Shah Latif, a British Pakistani actor, who, owing to the exertions of his faithful, often frustrated agent, Felicia (Weruche Opia), is improbably auditioning to be the next James Bond.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
That, plus an extra day to recover from their European exertions, with Forest also going to extra time and penalties in Denmark on Thursday, leads me to switch to a home win.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Grandmother explains how each plant helps humans ease aches and pains, as well as offering good foods like honey from the bees that drink from plants.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
But the problem with utilitarianism is that just as the subjective, first-person experiences of sensory perceptions cannot be compared among individuals, neither can pleasures and pains.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In his budget plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year, Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed to reduce expenditures for the state’s biodiversity conservation program as well as the enforcement division of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which employs game wardens and wildlife officers.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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But because the $10 million makes up nearly all of the charity’s expenditures, spending it on lobbying would likely be considered excessive under IRS rules, the experts said.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Efforts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/efforts. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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