attempt

verb at·tempt \ ə-ˈtem(p)t \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: attempt in a Sentence

Definition of attempt

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

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

Ying attempted to curl the ball past Naeher but the U.S. keeper dove left and was able to corral the shot in the center of her goal and keep China off the scoresheet.

— kellen becoats, SI.com, "Watch: Alex Morgan's Header Leads USWNT Past China," 7 June 2018
Last year, Allergan attempted to maintain patent protection for Restasis by selling intellectual property to a Native American tribe.

— charley grant, WSJ, "Allergan Needs a New Wrinkle," 6 June 2018
This spring, some creators attempted to ban together and start a union, hoping that collective bargaining might help them better reach the company.

— taylor lorenz, The Atlantic, "Gambling Channels Are The Latest Victims Of YouTube's Arbitrary Moderation Process," 6 June 2018
Cunningham has long advocated on behalf of veterans, pushing for the creation of the Poway Veterans Park and attempting, without success, to have property on Twin Peaks Road developed into housing for veterans.

— steve dreyer, Pomerado News, "Cunnigham saluted by council members, vets," 6 June 2018
Our Matt Martinez attempted to duplicate the feat in this video, with commentary from former Star-Telegram staffer Courtney Ortega.

— robert philpot, star-telegram, "Can you spot the DFW locations in the trailer for this Robert Redford movie?," 6 June 2018
The victim attempted to push Nyeplu away, but forced her to the ground and raped her, according to the release.

— lavendrick smith, charlotteobserver, "He invited a UNCC student in to find a lost credit card. Then he raped her, jury finds," 5 June 2018
Teresa Ramon, police chief of Judson ISD, said the district attempted in the early 2000s to institute a rule allowing only clear or mesh bags, but as years passed it was unevenly enforced.

— lauren caruba, San Antonio Express-News, "NEISD to require clear backpacks, install buzz-in entry systems," 5 June 2018
According to court records, two Stanford students caught Turner in the act, Turner then attempted to flee, and the students tackled him and held him down until the police arrived.

— german lopez, Vox, "Brock Turner was sentenced to 6 months in jail for sexual assault. Now voters may recall the judge.," 5 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

attempt Synonyms

Synonyms

assay, endeavor, essay, seek, strive, try;

Near Antonyms

drop, give up, quit;

aim, aspire, hope;

assume, take up, undertake;

Phrases

have a go at, shoot at (or shoot for), try one's hand (at);

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

What’s more, after spending the first month of the season at Triple A El Paso, Jankowski hasn’t stopped running since getting called back up to the majors, swiping 10 bags in 12 attempts.

— michael beller, SI.com, "Central Divisions Lead the Way on This Week's Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire," 7 June 2018
In the greatest irony of the night, Nikolic failed from the penalty spot, putting the Fire at a disadvantage after only one attempt.

— juan pimiento, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Fire advance in U.S. Open Cup on dramatic penalty kicks over Columbus," 6 June 2018
But many California politicos now say the experiment has failed, creating a confusing mess for voters in which candidates sometimes spend money to boost certain opponents in attempts to game the system.

— NBC News, "California polls close as both parties scramble for spots on the November ballot," 6 June 2018
Freshman shortstop Coby Robinson was another consistent contributor from the leadoff spot with a .304 average, .500 on-base percentage and nine stolen bases in nine attempts.

— brent kennedy, Howard County Times, "Howard County JV spring athletes earn their stripes," 5 June 2018
The Athletic has shown flexibility around its paywall in attempts to hire big-name writers.

— benjamin mullin, WSJ, "Sports Site The Athletic Expands Aggressively, Betting on Subscriptions," 4 June 2018
And Texas had mustered just one measly road win in five attempts.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas began its Super Regional run after early-season loss to Arkansas," 4 June 2018
Two more runners were put on in the second with nobody out, and this time Brandt Broussard failed to lay down two bunt attempts before striking out swinging.

— brody miller, NOLA.com, "LSU 'couldn't cash in' before Oregon State took over in deflating loss," 3 June 2018
The senior outside hitter finished with a personal-best 31 kills on 57 attempts to lead Neuqua (32-7).

— bob narang, Daily Southtown, "Happy days: Loyola recruit Mike Herlihy returns from injury as Lincoln-Way East rolls into state semifinals," 2 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of attempt

see ¹attempt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1534

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

attempt Synonyms

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.