attempted

play

adjective at·tempt·ed \ ə-ˈtem(p)-təd \

Definition of attempted

:having been tried without success

an attempted suicide

an attempted takeover

; especially, law :characterized by an intent to commit and effort taken to commit a specified crime that fails or is prevented

an attempted robbery

was charged with attempted murder

Recent Examples of attempted from the Web

An attempted burglary was reported by a juvenile who was home alone and called police after hearing glass breaking at 8:53 a.m. Aug. 10 at his home in the 400 block of South Mitchell Avenue.

— graydon megan, chicagotribune.com, "Elmhurst police blotter," 18 Aug. 2017
Lopez described Caguaripano as a deserter, sponsored by exiles in Miami, who participated in the attempted 2002 coup against then President Hugo Chavez.

— mery mogollon, latimes.com, "U.N. human rights officials accuse Venezuelan government of using excessive force against opposition," 8 Aug. 2017
Police officers responded about 11:30 p.m. to the 11900 block of West 49th Street, where the attempted auto theft was reported.

— ian cummings, kansascity, "Shots fired during attempted auto theft in Shawnee," 2 July 2017
Yesterday, Charleena Lyles, a pregnant Seattle mother of three children, reported an attempted burglary in her home.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "A New Police Shooting in Seattle Is a Test for Trump’s War on Criminal-Justice Reform," 19 June 2017
The officers were responding to Lyles’ call Sunday morning reporting an attempted burglary at her fourth-floor apartment.

— mike carter, The Seattle Times, "‘Get back! Get back!’: Seattle police release recordings of fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles," 19 June 2017
Despite pressure from the White House and members of Congress, Pistole defended the security measures, which were implemented after an attempted Christmas Day attack involving a nonmetallic bomb concealed in the would-be bomber's underwear.

— maureen groppe, kevin johnson and tony cook, USA TODAY, "Trump to interview John Pistole for FBI director job," 30 May 2017
Despite pressure from the White House and members of Congress, Pistole defended the security measures, which were implemented after an attempted Christmas Day attack involving a nonmetallic bomb concealed in the would-be bomber's underwear.

— maureen groppe, kevin johnson, tony cook, Indianapolis Star, "Trump interviews Hoosier John Pistole for FBI director," 30 May 2017
Attempted burglary: Around 2 a.m. 16200 block of Fairway Lane Vehicle burglary: Around 9 a.m. 19300 block of Goldenwest St. Assault: Around 11 a.m. Delaware St. and Joliet Ave.

— staff report, Orange County Register, "Crime log for Huntington Beach, May 21-27," 29 May 2017

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

First Known Use of attempted

circa 1513

Law Dictionary

attempted

adjective at·tempt·ed

legal Definition of attempted

:characterized by an intent to commit and effort taken to commit a specified crime that fails or is prevented

attempted forgery

Learn More about attempted

Nglish: Translation of attempted for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of attempted for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up attempted? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

attempted

Definition of attempted

Recent Examples of attempted from the Web

First Known Use of attempted

Law Dictionary

attempted

legal Definition of attempted

Learn More about attempted

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

glabrous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

Welcome to the New Words

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name that Color!

Spell It

SCRABBLE® Sprint

"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066

attempted

Definition of attempted

From the M-W Editors

Recent Examples of attempted from the Web

First Known Use of attempted

Law Dictionary

attempted

legal Definition of attempted

Learn More about attempted

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066