as in work
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 effort
The Cowboys’ defense put up some of the worst numbers in franchise history following Parsons’ departure, dragging down what was a stellar offensive effort from Lamb and company.
—
Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Most of the real solutions to the affordability problem, such as building more housing and reforming the health-care system, would require years of sustained effort, large investments, and hard political trade-offs.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Target’s latest turnaround effort comes the same month Walmart soared past $1 trillion in market value, stoking investor fears that the retail chain’s efforts are too little and too late.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
His efforts netted him a one-year, $10 million contract.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for effort
Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Most of the real solutions to the affordability problem, such as building more housing and reforming the health-care system, would require years of sustained effort, large investments, and hard political trade-offs.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Target’s latest turnaround effort comes the same month Walmart soared past $1 trillion in market value, stoking investor fears that the retail chain’s efforts are too little and too late.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
His efforts netted him a one-year, $10 million contract.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for effort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effort
Noun
-
This work offers a new platform for designing efficient photo-electrocatalysts and advancing next-generation solar–electrochemical energy conversion systems.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The opening night celebration in September features violinist Joshua Bell, after which Shelley will guide the season through a series of classic works, beginning with Mahler’s Second Symphony.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
More serious altitude sickness shows up as shortness of breath even with minimal exertion, along with swelling in the hands and face.—
Morayo Ogunbayo,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some of Goldsworthy’s art has also required strenuous exertions.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This suggests that regardless of short-term stock fluctuations in software companies, the capital expenditure on the physical hardware and facilities required to run them is locked in, providing a floor for economic activity.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Stocks sold off last week as the latest quarterly reports from Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon and Alphabet revealed stepped up capital expenditure plans that revived worries about the spending if AI fails to become profitable.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
White southerners took great pains to keep track of men and women like Henry Fordham.—
Eugene Robinson,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
-
My adolescence was an ordinary one, its joys and pains small.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Moos wrote that when Frost showed up for a secret interview at a Philadelphia hotel the night before his undefeated UCF team played a road game at Temple, Frost was unshaven and wearing sweats.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There are a lot of guns and sweat.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Effort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effort. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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