attempt

play

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

In January an Islamist preacher from Jakarta, Tengku Zulkarnain, attempted to address a rally in Sintang, deep in West Kalimantan’s forests, but angry Dayak tribesmen brandishing swords chased him off.

— The Economist, "Borneo againIndonesian Islamists open a new front in their war on tolerance," 20 July 2017
Romo could have attempted to continue his career elsewhere, but didn’t pass up an opportunity to be on CBS’ No.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Stephen Jones on Tony Romo-less camp: ‘hasn’t sunk in yet’," 19 July 2017
Hood unveiled the concept 3 years ago, but a pilot study attempting to back it up has only now appeared.

— ryan cross, Science | AAAS, "‘Scientific wellness’ study—and a famed biologist’s spinoff company—divide researchers," 19 July 2017
The Maduro government blasted the exercise as illegitimate and hurled threats at organizers while attempting to enforce a news blackout.

— rachelle krygier, Washington Post, "After protest vote, Maduro foes warn of ‘zero hour’ for Venezuela’s democracy," 17 July 2017
BuzzFeed News attempted to contact the company’s spokeswoman, but her mailbox was apparently full.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "Brides Are Panicking After Popular Wedding Chain Abruptly Shuts Down Stores," 14 July 2017
Welsher and his team would like to integrate the virus cam with 3D imaging of cell surfaces, to see how viruses interact with cells before attempting to penetrate them.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "“VirusCam” Can Watch Individual Viruses to (Someday) Keep You From Getting Sick," 12 July 2017
Now a company is attempting to utilize the vast wealth of data available in sports for gambling purposes, with an AI at the heart of its operation.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Machines Are Learning To Gamble Like No Human Can," 11 July 2017
After many stints in rehab, Nelsan attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own.

— christina coleman, Essence.com, "Family Of 'True Blood' Actor Nelsan Ellis Reveal Cause Of Untimely Death," 10 July 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

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 at·tempt

Definition of attempt

1a : 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 attemptb : 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 Defined for English Language Learners

attempt

play

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

play

verb at·tempt \ə-ˈtempt\

Definition of attempt for Students

attempted

;

attempting

: to try to do, accomplish, or complete attempt to win

attempt

play

noun at·tempt

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