least resistance vs effort

least resistance and effort both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
least resistance	Yes	No	No	No
effort	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, effort is a hypernym of least resistance; that is, effort is a word with a broader meaning than least resistance:

Other hypernyms of least resistance include elbow grease, exertion, sweat, travail.

least resistance (noun)	effort (noun)
the least effortful way to do something	earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
	use of physical or mental energy; hard work
	a notable achievement
	a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end