| Library / English Dictionary |
EFFORT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A notable achievement
Example:
the book was her finest effort
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("effort" is a kind of...):
accomplishment; achievement (the action of accomplishing something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "effort"):
derring-do (brave and heroic feats)
hit ((baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball))
rally; rallying (the feat of mustering strength for a renewed effort)
stunt (a difficult or unusual or dangerous feat; usually done to gain attention)
tour de force (a masterly or brilliant feat)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Use of physical or mental energy; hard work
Example:
they managed only with great exertion
Synonyms:
effort; elbow grease; exertion; sweat; travail
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("effort" is a kind of...):
labor; labour; toil (productive work (especially physical work done for wages))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "effort"):
detrition; friction; rubbing (effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure)
overexertion (excessive exertion; so much exertion that discomfort or injury results)
supererogation (an effort above and beyond the call of duty)
overkill (any effort that seems to go farther than would be necessary to achieve its goal)
application; diligence (a diligent effort)
pull (a sustained effort)
exercise; exercising; physical exercise; physical exertion; workout (the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit)
strain; straining (an intense or violent exertion)
least effort; least resistance (the least effortful way to do something)
difficulty; trouble (an effort that is inconvenient)
struggle (strenuous effort)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
Example:
she gave it a good try
Synonyms:
attempt; effort; endeavor; endeavour; try
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("effort" is a kind of...):
activity (any specific behavior)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "effort"):
test; trial (the act of undergoing testing)
run; test; trial (the act of testing something)
takeover attempt (an attempt to take control of a corporation)
battle; struggle (an energetic attempt to achieve something)
nisus; pains; strain; striving (an effortful attempt to attain a goal)
shot (an attempt to score in a game)
shot; stab (informal words for any attempt or effort)
seeking (an attempt to acquire or gain something)
power play; squeeze; squeeze play (an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power)
mug's game (a futile or unprofitable endeavor)
liberation (the attempt to achieve equal rights or status)
contribution; part; share (the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result)
foray (an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence))
essay (a tentative attempt)
crack; fling; go; offer; pass; whirl (a usually brief attempt)
bid; play (an attempt to get something)
worst (the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of)
best (the supreme effort one can make)
batting ((baseball) the batter's attempt to get on base)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
Example:
contributed to the war effort
Synonyms:
campaign; cause; crusade; drive; effort; movement
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("effort" is a kind of...):
venture (any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "effort"):
youth crusade; youth movement (political or religious or social reform movement or agitation consisting chiefly of young people)
war (a concerted campaign to end something that is injurious)
reform (a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices)
lost cause (a defeated cause or a cause for which defeat is inevitable)
gay lib; gay liberation movement (the movement aimed at liberating homosexuals from legal or social or economic oppression)
feminism; feminist movement; women's lib; women's liberation movement (the movement aimed at equal rights for women)
fund-raising campaign; fund-raising drive; fund-raising effort (a campaign to raise money for some cause)
campaigning; candidacy; candidature; electioneering; political campaign (the campaign of a candidate to be elected)
consumerism (a movement advocating greater protection of the interests of consumers)
charm campaign (a campaign of flattery and friendliness (by a company, politician, etc.) to become more popular and gain support)
anti-war movement (a campaign against entering or continuing a war)
ad blitz; ad campaign; advertising campaign (an organized program of advertisements)
Context examples:
Terminology developed to support the efforts of the Neonatal Research Network.
(Neonatal Research Network Terminology, NCI Thesaurus)
An institute within the National Institutes of Health that provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems.
(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NCI Thesaurus)
Measurements may also be indirect, by such assessments as respiratory rate and effort, withdrawal, guarding, or other appropriate assessment techniques.
(Pain Assessment, NCI Thesaurus)
AIDS related research with a minimum of 20% (or $100,000) research efforts related to children 0-18 years of age.
(Pediatric AIDS, NCI Thesaurus)
It was a strong effort of the spirit of good, but it was ineffectual.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
Lifestyle changes include dietary changes, exercise, and efforts to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
(Peripheral Arterial Disease, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
A pathological increase in the effort and frequency or breathing movements during the perinatal period.
(Perinatal Respiratory Distress, NCI Thesaurus)
An institute within the National Institutes of Health that leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life.
(National Institute on Aging, NCI Thesaurus)
The Board's most distinctive contribution, however, will be to render advice to the Nation in the area of policy and make recommendations to advance the Nation's effort against cancer.
(National Cancer Policy Board, NCI Thesaurus)
A collaborative effort to develop a common exchange format for biological pathways data.
(BioPAX, NCI Thesaurus)
