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.
Recent Examples on the Web
In a larger effort, Hoskin and colleagues recently assessed the habitat ranges of 55 eastern Australian frog species, including 25 affected by Bd.
—
Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
Two former sales leaders involved in the effort likened it to a drug dealer hooking a user with free samples.
—Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
So, for a third time, potential statewide rent controls lost — and by a similarly large margin as the other two efforts.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
The filing also details the company's efforts to expand its Lifeline services and the impact of the cessation of the ACP Program on its operations.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for effort 
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Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
Two former sales leaders involved in the effort likened it to a drug dealer hooking a user with free samples.
—Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
So, for a third time, potential statewide rent controls lost — and by a similarly large margin as the other two efforts.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
The filing also details the company's efforts to expand its Lifeline services and the impact of the cessation of the ACP Program on its operations.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for effort
Cite this Entry
“Effort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effort. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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