attempt

verb at·tempt \ ə-ˈtem(p)t \

Definition of attempt

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

play \-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl\ adjective

See attempt defined for English-language learners

See attempt defined for kids

Examples of attempt in a Sentence

They've attempted a climb up Mount Everest once before.
She attempted suicide early in their marriage.

Recent Examples of attempt from the Web

Joseph Patrick Yaska, 29, was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder and assault, according to the criminal complaint filed Monday in Aniak District Court.

— author: suzanna caldwell, Alaska Dispatch News, "Aniak man charged with murder was ‘angry and didn’t know why,’ according to court documents," 30 Aug. 2017
In the 36th minute, Kevin Molino tapped a pass to Danladi, who nailed a shot into a net that was wide-open after Fire goalie Matt Lampson slipped to the ground attempting to stop Molino's pass.

— bob narang, chicagotribune.com, "Fire can't get going against Minnesota United, lose for sixth time in last seven games," 26 Aug. 2017
This group, which started life as China’s pickup truck manufacturer, didn’t even attempt to build its first sedan until 2010.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "China comes for us," 25 Aug. 2017
Venezuela’s telecom regulator, Conatel, has yet to make a statement about the decision, and attempts to contact the press office failed.

— christine jenkins, Bloomberg.com, "Colombian Television Networks Pulled Off Air in Venezuela," 24 Aug. 2017
And not after winning four consecutive championships with Newman-Haas Racing from 2004-07 before attempting a Formula 1 career.

— brant james, USA TODAY Sports, "Exclusive: Sebastien Bourdais on return to IndyCar, rehab and his racing future," 24 Aug. 2017
Galloway, of Gary, was charged in November with murder in the shooting death of Jonquell Golida, 23, and attempted murder in the wounding of Timothy Fryerson.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "Chicago, Gary men charged in same homicide to be tried separately," 24 Aug. 2017
According to a representative from Stemilt, the Rave was first attempted 20 years ago, and researchers at University of Minnesota made thousands of different crosses to narrow it down to the final varietal.

— alyse whitney, Bon Appetit, "There's a Brand New Apple in Your Grocery Store," 21 Aug. 2017
At 16, Owens was found guilty of first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit attempted robbery at a downtown 7-Eleven, and sent to Silver Oak Academy, another juvenile residential facility for about six months.

— kevin rector, baltimoresun.com, "Finding work, then falling to bullets in Baltimore: 'He was part of the generation of the streets, but he was trying'," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attempt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of attempt

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

attempt Synonyms

Synonyms

assay, endeavor, essay, seek, strive, try, have a go at, shoot at (or shoot for), try one's hand (at)

Related Words

fight, strain, struggle, toil, trouble, work; aim, aspire, hope; assume, take up, undertake

Near Antonyms

drop, give up, quit

Synonym Discussion of 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

attempt

noun

Definition of attempt

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

See attempt defined for English-language learners

Examples of attempt in a Sentence

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 of attempt from the Web

Similarly, while the V’s internal wiring is spotless, the company’s attempt to do the same for exterior cable routing isn’t as successful.

— christopher null, WIRED, "Review: Volta V Gaming PC," 7 July 2017
Ever since the iconic 1994 movie, which starred Winona Ryder as Jo and Christian Bale as her dreamy neighbor Laurie, there have been a few attempts at new adaptations.

— emma dibdin, Country Living, "Angela Lansbury May Star In A New Adaptation of 'Little Women'," 23 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of attempt

see ¹attempt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1534

See Words from the same year

attempt Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

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

ATTEMPT Defined for English Language Learners

attempt

verb

Definition of attempt for English Language Learners

: to try to do (something) : to try to accomplish or complete (something)

attempt

noun

Definition of attempt for English Language Learners

: an act of trying to do something
: something that results from trying to do something

ATTEMPT Defined for Kids

attempt

verb at·tempt \ ə-ˈtempt \

Definition of attempt for Students

attempted; attempting

:to try to do, accomplish, or complete

attempt to win

attempt

noun

Definition of attempt for Students

:the act or an instance of trying to do something They made two attempts to climb the mountain.

Law Dictionary

attempt

noun at·tempt

legal Definition of attempt

: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.