en·deav·or
in-ˈde-vər 
endeavored; endeavoring
in-ˈde-v(ə-)riŋ
1
formal
: to seriously or continually try (to do something)
will endeavor to improve
"… I have always endeavored to do my duty. …"—
P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. Wodehouse… he endeavored to explain the object of the meeting …—George J. Richman
George J. Richman[James] Baldwin frequently endeavored to turn his epistolary power into action—the man loved an open letter.—Vann R. Newkirk II
Vann R. Newkirk II2
archaic, formal
: to strive to achieve or reach
… were required to take oath that they would not, "at any time, endeavor the alteration of government. …"—North American Review
North American Review
formal
: to work with set purpose
"Nothing do we claim: we but earnestly endeavor."—Herman Melville
Herman Melville1
: serious determined effort
They failed despite their best endeavors.
2
: activity directed toward a goal : enterprise
fields of endeavor
a creative/artistic endeavor
Best of luck in your future endeavors.
The idea that freelancers don't have a boss is one of the top myths about the endeavor.—Virginia Hogan
Virginia HoganExamples of endeavor in a Sentence
Verb
As urbanization advanced, it swept away the distinctive physical and social characteristics of the culture of the past, substituting undifferentiated built environments and standardized patterns of dress and behavior. Hand-camera users endeavored to reaffirm individuality and arrest time in the face of the encroaching depersonalization of existence.
—Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989
At some time in their careers, most good historians itch to write a history of the world, endeavor to discover what makes humanity the most destructive and creative of species.
—Paul Johnson, New York Times Book Review, 7 Apr. 1985
The school endeavors to teach students to be good citizens.
They endeavored to create a government that truly serves its people.
Noun
Sgt. Pepper was our grandest endeavor.
—Ringo Starr, in The Beatles Anthology, 2000
Science has traditionally accepted the smartest students, the most committed and self-sacrificing researchers, and the cleanest money—that is, money with the fewest political strings attached. In both theory and practice, science in this century has been perceived as a noble endeavor.
—Science, 13 Feb. 1998
The miraculous thing I have to report, a secret so precious I hesitate to share it, is how docilely and utterly the critic in one goes to sleep when a creative endeavor is afoot.
—John Updike, New York Times Book Review, 21 June 1987
His endeavors have gone unrewarded.
She is involved in several artistic endeavors.
Technology is the fastest-changing area of human endeavor.
Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989
At some time in their careers, most good historians itch to write a history of the world, endeavor to discover what makes humanity the most destructive and creative of species.
—Paul Johnson, New York Times Book Review, 7 Apr. 1985
The school endeavors to teach students to be good citizens.
They endeavored to create a government that truly serves its people.
Noun
Sgt. Pepper was our grandest endeavor.
—Ringo Starr, in The Beatles Anthology, 2000
Science has traditionally accepted the smartest students, the most committed and self-sacrificing researchers, and the cleanest money—that is, money with the fewest political strings attached. In both theory and practice, science in this century has been perceived as a noble endeavor.
—Science, 13 Feb. 1998
The miraculous thing I have to report, a secret so precious I hesitate to share it, is how docilely and utterly the critic in one goes to sleep when a creative endeavor is afoot.
—John Updike, New York Times Book Review, 21 June 1987
His endeavors have gone unrewarded.
She is involved in several artistic endeavors.
Technology is the fastest-changing area of human endeavor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Kevin O’Connell will no doubt endeavor to get McCarthy off to a strong scripted start, and the Minnesota game plan from there should be centered around easy completions with the occasional big-time throw sprinkled in.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
As enticing as these goals may be, packing up your life and heading overseas can be quite the endeavor.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for endeavor
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Verb
Our column will endeavor to bring the big issues into focus.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Kevin O’Connell will no doubt endeavor to get McCarthy off to a strong scripted start, and the Minnesota game plan from there should be centered around easy completions with the occasional big-time throw sprinkled in.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
Federal investigation reveals wide criminal net Browse the website of Chen’s Prince Group, and the company’s public image is one of charitable endeavors, business accolades and awards for corporate social responsibility initiatives, large donations to anti-Covid efforts, and education programs.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
As enticing as these goals may be, packing up your life and heading overseas can be quite the endeavor.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for endeavor
Cite this Entry
“Endeavor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endeavor. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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