attempt

1 of 2

verb

at·​tempt ə-ˈtem(p)t 

attempted; attempting; attempts

transitive verb

1

: to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect

He attempted to swim the swollen river.

2

archaic : tempt

3

archaic : to try to subdue or take by force : attack

attemptable

ə-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl 

adjective

attempt

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the act or an instance of trying to do or accomplish something : an act or instance of attempting something

She failed the test on her first attempt but passed on her second attempt.

They made an attempt [=tried] to be helpful.

often : an unsuccessful effort

a suicide attempt

b

: something resulting from or representing an attempt

… surrounded by lemon trees and a few attempts at rose bushes.

—Marian Engel

2

: attack, assault

an attempt on the life of the president

Synonyms

Verb

• try
• strive

Noun

• try
• stab

Choose the Right Synonym for attempt

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

Examples of attempt in a Sentence

Verb

They've attempted a climb up Mount Everest once before.

She attempted suicide early in their marriage.

Noun

She failed her driving test on the first attempt but she succeeded on her second attempt.

Her attempt at a home-cooked meal consisted of frozen fish sticks and a can of soup.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Widely known for its short-term, interest-free financing products, Klarna has attempted in recent months to rebrand itself as more of a digital retail bank. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025

The Georgia firebrand, who has been insistent that the United States stay out of affairs abroad, has attempted similar amendments to both the NDAA and appropriations bills in past years and recently, with no success. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025

Noun

Guessing the song in as few attempts as possible might earn you bragging rights. —Kris Holt, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

At stake is not only the agency's operational readiness but also public confidence in its ability to protect the president after a series of recent assassination attempts. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing attempt

• an attempt on someone's life
• attempt suicide
• made an attempt
• make an attempt
• make an attempt on (someone's) life
• make no attempt

Rhymes for attempt

• contempt
• exempt
• preempt
• unkempt
• empt
• tempt
• nonexempt

Kids Definition

attempt

1 of 2 verb

at·​tempt ə-ˈtem(p)t 

1

: to try to do or perform

attempt an escape

2

: to make an effort : try

attempt to solve the problem

attempt

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or an instance of attempting

especially : an unsuccessful effort

2

: attack entry 2 sense 1

an attempt on the president's life

Legal Definition

attempt

noun

at·​tempt

: the crime of having the intent to commit and taking action in an effort to commit a crime that fails or is prevented

called also criminal attempt

see also impossibility

Note: There must generally be more than preparation to be guilty of attempt.