at·tempt
ə-ˈtem(p)t 
attempted; attempting; attempts
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
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
Marian Engel
Synonyms
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 WebMisty Severi, Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2023
In response, some recent church initiatives have attempted to bring more transparency to controversial issues about founder Joseph Smith’s life and church teachings.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
The largest transfer African Parks has ever attempted was in 2021, when the group moved 30 rhinos to Rwanda from South Africa.
—Rachel Nuwer, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
An initial investigation into the crash found that the plane's front landing gear failed while its pilot, the only occupant, attempted to land at the museum's airfield just after 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Stow Fire Department said in a post shared to Facebook.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
When the teen attempted to retrieve the weapon again, deputies shot him in the hand with a rubber bullet, Chronister said.
—Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2023
The supervisor reportedly discovered Taylor was attempting to smuggle contraband into the detention center.
—Staff Report, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2023
Read full article State Police were notified of the theft at 3:42 p.m. and soon found the SUV in the O’Neill Tunnel and attempted to stop it, a State Police spokesman said in a separate statement.
—Ashley Soebroto, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2023
Shah's legal team attempted to have the charges dismissed in August 2021, but a judge denied the request.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023
Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
In an attempt to manage her stress and anxiety, the actress took a break from acting in 2018.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
August’s strong export performance comes at a time when brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Omega are raising prices in an attempt to offset growing manufacturing costs.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2023
That move was seen by some writers and industry observers as an attempt to go around WGA’s negotiators.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
From 1932 to 1933, Stalin carried out the Holodomor by closing the borders of Ukraine and taking crops and farm equipment from Ukrainian farmers in what was described by the USSR as an attempt to collectivize farming in the region.
—Alex Hulvalchick, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Each walk now provides a small step toward another attempt at motherhood — our next one’s coming up this fall.
—Blake Turck, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
In a statement provided by a spokesperson, Giuliani lashed out at Costello and the lawsuit, portraying it as an overly aggressive attempt to collect.
—Marianna Sotomayor, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
In an attempt to obstruct their work, residents used felled trees and burning tires as makeshift barricades, preventing officials from entering the forests surrounding their villages.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
See More
Verb
Former President Donald Trump attempted to take credit on Monday for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's acquittal in the state Senate on 16 articles of impeachment.
—Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2023
In response, some recent church initiatives have attempted to bring more transparency to controversial issues about founder Joseph Smith’s life and church teachings.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
The largest transfer African Parks has ever attempted was in 2021, when the group moved 30 rhinos to Rwanda from South Africa.
—Rachel Nuwer, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
An initial investigation into the crash found that the plane's front landing gear failed while its pilot, the only occupant, attempted to land at the museum's airfield just after 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Stow Fire Department said in a post shared to Facebook.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
When the teen attempted to retrieve the weapon again, deputies shot him in the hand with a rubber bullet, Chronister said.
—Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2023
The supervisor reportedly discovered Taylor was attempting to smuggle contraband into the detention center.
—Staff Report, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2023
Read full article State Police were notified of the theft at 3:42 p.m. and soon found the SUV in the O’Neill Tunnel and attempted to stop it, a State Police spokesman said in a separate statement.
—Ashley Soebroto, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2023
Shah's legal team attempted to have the charges dismissed in August 2021, but a judge denied the request.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023
Noun
That’s largely seen as an attempt by OPEC members to look out for their own domestic priorities, given how heavily oil revenues backstop public budgets in those countries.
—Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
In an attempt to manage her stress and anxiety, the actress took a break from acting in 2018.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
August’s strong export performance comes at a time when brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Omega are raising prices in an attempt to offset growing manufacturing costs.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2023
That move was seen by some writers and industry observers as an attempt to go around WGA’s negotiators.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
From 1932 to 1933, Stalin carried out the Holodomor by closing the borders of Ukraine and taking crops and farm equipment from Ukrainian farmers in what was described by the USSR as an attempt to collectivize farming in the region.
—Alex Hulvalchick, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Each walk now provides a small step toward another attempt at motherhood — our next one’s coming up this fall.
—Blake Turck, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
In a statement provided by a spokesperson, Giuliani lashed out at Costello and the lawsuit, portraying it as an overly aggressive attempt to collect.
—Marianna Sotomayor, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
In an attempt to obstruct their work, residents used felled trees and burning tires as makeshift barricades, preventing officials from entering the forests surrounding their villages.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attempt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of attempt was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing attempt
Dictionary Entries Near attempt
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attempt. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.
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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 noun1
: 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 impossibilityNote: There must generally be more than preparation to be guilty of attempt.
More from Merriam-Webster on attempt
Nglish: Translation of attempt for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of attempt for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about attempt
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