as in works
the active use of energy in producing a result
the finished parade float was well worth the effort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of efforts
This has been, in no small part, because Russia’s writers have often played an antagonistic role in the efforts of Russia’s rulers to shape a particular image of the country, including Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy—arguably Russia’s two most iconic literary geniuses.
—
Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
But Jeffries’s efforts, which have achieved mixed results, have also elicited concerns from some of his supporters.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Violent conflict with militants, some backed by the Islamic State group, as well as constant population movement due to mining, both within Congo and across the border in Uganda, have also posed a major challenge to response efforts.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday for the remaining nine missing people.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
And this year, the US-Israeli war with Iran further complicated the Fed’s efforts to assess the economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Search crews say brutal underwater conditions, limited oxygen and the complexity of the cave system have made recovery efforts extremely dangerous.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Diplomatic efforts aimed at a more durable peace have faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 17 May 2026
Challenges, like marathons, once thought impossible, are efforts that require mind over matter.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
But Jeffries’s efforts, which have achieved mixed results, have also elicited concerns from some of his supporters.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Violent conflict with militants, some backed by the Islamic State group, as well as constant population movement due to mining, both within Congo and across the border in Uganda, have also posed a major challenge to response efforts.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday for the remaining nine missing people.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
And this year, the US-Israeli war with Iran further complicated the Fed’s efforts to assess the economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Search crews say brutal underwater conditions, limited oxygen and the complexity of the cave system have made recovery efforts extremely dangerous.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Diplomatic efforts aimed at a more durable peace have faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 17 May 2026
Challenges, like marathons, once thought impossible, are efforts that require mind over matter.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for efforts
Noun
-
Most of the lamps on view this week and next are works of sculpture in themselves, from a towering totemic floor lamp to a slight but dynamic nightlight.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
17 May 2026
-
These works demonstrate innovative breakthroughs in both technology and art.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Not everyone appreciated the exertions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
Ahmad plays Shah Latif, a British Pakistani actor, who, owing to the exertions of his faithful, often frustrated agent, Felicia (Weruche Opia), is improbably auditioning to be the next James Bond.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ebola causes a hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms that start with fever, aches, pains and fatigue before progressing to diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding, according to the public health agency.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
But in the four years between the two terms, Xi had taken pains to ensure this tactic would no longer work, with export controls on rare earth metals that are indispensable to American arms manufacturers and carmakers.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Of all our national expenditures, national defense is probably the least controversial of all.—
Star Parker,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
-
The company’s capital expenditures—a cause of concern among some Wall Street investors—were projected behind Pichai on a giant screen as the the CEO described plans to spend between $180 billion and $190 billion this year, compared to $31 billion in 2022.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Efforts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/efforts. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
