endeavor (redirected from endeavoring)

en·deav·or  (n-dvr)

n.

1. A conscientious or concerted effort toward an end; an earnest attempt.

2. Purposeful or industrious activity; enterprise.

v. en·deav·ored, en·deav·or·ing, en·deav·ors

v.tr.

To attempt (fulfillment of a responsibility or an obligation, for example) by employment or expenditure of effort: endeavored to improve the quality of life in the inner city.

v.intr.

To work with a set or specified goal or purpose.

---

[Middle English endevour, from endeveren, to make an effort, from (putten) in dever, (to put oneself) in duty, make it one's duty : in, in; see in¹ + dever, duty (from Old French deveir, devoir, duty; see devoir).]

---

en·deavor·er n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	endeavor - a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness); "he had doubts about the whole enterprise" endeavour, enterprise fraudulent scheme, illegitimate enterprise, racket - an illegal enterprise (such as extortion or fraud or drug peddling or prostitution) carried on for profit forlorn hope - a hopeless or desperate enterprise project, task, undertaking, labor - any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted; "he prepared for great undertakings" business activity, commercial activity - activity undertaken as part of a commercial enterprise
	2.	endeavor - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try" attempt, effort, try, endeavour batting - (baseball) the batter's attempt to get on base best - the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best" worst - the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of; "it was the worst he had ever done on a test" activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" bid, play - an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention" fling, go, offer, whirl, crack, pass - a usually brief attempt; "he took a crack at it"; "I gave it a whirl" essay - a tentative attempt foray - an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence); "scientists' forays into politics" contribution, share, part - the part played by a person in bringing about a result; "I am proud of my contribution in advancing the project"; "they all did their share of the work" liberation - the attempt to achieve equal rights or status; "she worked for women's liberation" mug's game - a futile or unprofitable endeavor power play, squeeze play, squeeze - an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power; "she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away" seeking - an attempt to acquire or gain something stab, shot - informal words for any attempt or effort; "he gave it his best shot"; "he took a stab at forecasting" shot - an attempt to score in a game nisus, pains, striving, strain - an effortful attempt to attain a goal struggle, battle - an energetic attempt to achieve something; "getting through the crowd was a real struggle"; "he fought a battle for recognition" takeover attempt - an attempt to take control of a corporation trial, run, test - the act of testing something; "in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately"; "he called each flip of the coin a new trial" trial, test - the act of undergoing testing; "he survived the great test of battle"; "candidates must compete in a trial of skill"
Verb	1.	endeavor - attempt by employing effort; "we endeavor to make our customers happy" endeavour, strive struggle - to exert strenuous effort against opposition; "he struggled to get free from the rope" attempt, essay, try, assay, seek - make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world" be at pains, take pains - try very hard to do something buck - to strive with determination; "John is bucking for a promotion"