endeavor

endeavor — verb

1. to make a determined and sustained effort to accomplish a difficult task or goal

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to make a determined and sustained effort to accomplish a difficult task or goal

Example

Takeshi endeavored to master the traditional pottery techniques of his hometown.

endeavor + to-infinitive for sustained effort

The school principal endeavored to create a safer environment for every student.

Common collocations
  • endeavor to achieve
  • endeavor to ensure
  • endeavor to improve
  • endeavor to create
Synonyms
  • strive

    similar register and meaning but can also take a prepositional object ('strive for')

  • try

    much less formal and more common; does not carry the same weight of sustained effort

  • attempt

    more neutral in register; can be used transitively with a noun object ('attempt a rescue')

Antonyms
  • neglect

    failing to make an effort at all

  • abandon

    giving up on a goal before seeing it through

Grammar Patterns

endeavor + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Frequently followed by a to-infinitive. Unlike the more neutral try, endeavor implies sustained effort over time and is primarily found in formal or academic writing.

Common Mistakes

She endeavored learning Japanese.
She endeavored to learn Japanese.
Endeavor must be followed by a to-infinitive, not a gerund.
He endeavored on the project.
He endeavored to complete the project.
Endeavor does not take a prepositional object; it takes a to-infinitive clause.

endeavor — noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Endeavor, effort, attempt, and struggle all refer to trying to achieve something, but they differ in register, scope, and connotation. Endeavor is the most formal of the four and carries a strong sense of sustained, determined commitment — it is not a single try but an ongoing exertion. Effort is the most general term and can describe any level of work, from a small push to a major campaign (e.g. 'a team effort'). Attempt focuses on the act of trying something, often in a single instance, and can be neutral or imply failure ('an attempt that fell short'). Struggle emphasizes difficulty and resistance, suggesting that the goal is hard to reach ('a struggle to stay afloat'). In formal writing, endeavor is preferred when you want to convey seriousness and resolve: 'The organization's endeavor to end poverty continues to inspire volunteers.'

endeavor ↗effort ↗attempt ↗struggle ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in an endeavor to
  • make every endeavor to

Prepositions

  • to (followed by to-infinitive)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Endeavor entered English in the early 15th century, formed from the phrase 'put oneself in dever' — where 'dever' (also spelled 'devoir') comes from Old French 'devoir' meaning 'duty' or 'obligation'. The core idea is putting oneself under a duty, i.e., making a committed effort. The French root traces further back to Latin 'debere' ('to owe'), from 'de-' + 'habere' ('to have, hold'). The US spelling with a single 'u' (endeavor) follows a consistent American pattern of simplifying British -our endings.