attempt

attempt

noun

Definition of ATTEMPT

1

an effort to do or accomplish something <it took several attempts before we made good ice cream with an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream freezer>

Synonyms assay [archaic], bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl

Related Words striving, struggle, throes, undertaking; trial and error

2

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence <several attempts on the life of the country's chief drug enforcement official>

Synonyms aggression, assault, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike

Related Words ambuscade, ambush; counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike; sally, sortie; envelopment, flanking; breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion; pillage, ravage, sack; air raid, bombardment, bombing; siege, storm; barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley; whammy

Near Antonyms defense, defensive, guard, shield; opposition, resistance; protection, security, shelter