Main Entry: ¹at·tempt

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈtem(p)t\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French attempter, from Latin attemptare, from ad- + temptare to touch, try — more at tempt

Date: 14th century

1 : to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect <attempted to swim the swollen river>
2 archaic : tempt
3 archaic : to try to subdue or take by force : attack

— at·tempt·able \-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl\ adjective

synonyms attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort <will attempt to photograph the rare bird>. try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something <tried to determine which was the better procedure>. endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty <endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains>. essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting <will essay a dramatic role for the first time>. strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort <continues to strive for peace>.