Attempt vs Endeavor

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Attempt

Top 2,000 (common) B2 noun

Endeavor

Formal Top 3,000 (common) B1

Most formal: Endeavor Most common: Attempt

	Attempt	Endeavor
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/əˈtempt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/əˈtempt/"]/	🇬🇧 //ɪnˈdɛv.ər// 🇺🇸 //ɪnˈdɛv.ɚ//
Meaning	To try to do something.	To try hard to do something.
Example	Her attempt to climb the mountain was met with several challenges.	We will endeavor to meet the project deadline.
Register	Neutral	Formal
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 3,000 (common)
CEFR level	B2	B1
Part of speech	noun
Collocations	successful, abortive, botched, make, succeed in, abandon, succeed, fail, in an/​the attempt, attempt at, attempt by, an attempt on somebody’s life, at the first, second, etc. attempt, in the first, second, etc. attempt, successful, abortive, botched, make, succeed in, abandon, succeed, fail, in an/​the attempt, attempt at, attempt by, an attempt on somebody’s life, at the first, second, etc. attempt, in the first, second, etc. attempt	make an endeavor, a noble endeavor, personal endeavor
Antonyms	abandon, give up, quit	abandon, give up, stop
Common mistakes	'Attempted to' is often confused with 'tried to'., Learners sometimes use 'attempt' without an object, which is incorrect., Confusion between 'attempt' (to try) and 'achieve' (to succeed).	Confused with 'endeavor' vs 'endeavoured'; not all varieties use the British spelling., Using 'endeavor' without stating what is being endeavored., Incorrectly using 'endeavor' in everyday casual speech.
Usage notes	Use 'attempt' when referring to trying to achieve something, especially when the outcome is uncertain. It's suitable in both spoken and written contexts but may sound a bit formal in casual conversation.	Use in formal contexts, such as academic settings or professional writing. Avoid in casual conversations.

See it in real clips

those who attempt to poison and destroy My brothers.

The Pitt › S1 E1

- LMA in place. - Suicide attempt?

Top Gear › S1 E1

Final attempt at this. We've been trying to prove

those who attempt to poison and destroy My brothers.

The Pitt › S1 E1

- LMA in place. - Suicide attempt?

Attempt

Frequently asked questions: Attempt vs Endeavor

What's the difference between Attempt and Endeavor?

Attempt: To try to do something. Endeavor: To try hard to do something.

Which is more formal: Attempt and Endeavor?

Endeavor is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Attempt and Endeavor?

Attempt is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Attempt and Endeavor?

Attempt is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Attempt and Endeavor the same CEFR level?

Attempt: B2, Endeavor: B1 on the CEFR scale.

Can you show an example of each?

Attempt: Her attempt to climb the mountain was met with several challenges. Endeavor: We will endeavor to meet the project deadline.

Can I use Attempt and Endeavor interchangeably?

Not always. Attempt and Endeavor are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.