attempted

adjective

at·​tempt·​ed ə-ˈtem(p)-təd How to pronounce attempted (audio)
: 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

Examples of attempted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The attempted on-side kick failed. Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 Cook sued Trump on Thursday over the attempted firing. Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2025 So when the British flag came down from Belfast City Hall as a result of a vote by the city government in 2012, loyalist protests broke out, leading to an attempted storming of the building. Philip Metres august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025 Connecticut’s unexpected winning streak The future of the Connecticut Sun is in flux, with the Mohegan Tribe ownership attempting to sell the team while the WNBA complicates any attempted relocation. Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempted

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attempted was circa 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attempted. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

attempted

adjective
at·​tempt·​ed
: characterized by an intent to commit and effort taken to commit a specified crime that fails or is prevented
attempted forgery

More from Merriam-Webster on attempted

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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