attempted
adjective
at·tempt·ed
ə-ˈtem(p)-təd 
: 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
Vandals targeted one of the oldest synagogues in the U.S. vandals three times Tuesday, including by attempted arson, officials said.
—
Kyla Guilfoil, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
This story has been updated to reflect that the attempted poisoning Sergei Skripal led to the death of one bystander rather than two.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2024
French media reported on Thursday that another three women have lodged official complaints against Doillon, two for rape and one for attempted rape.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 July 2024
The attempted Graceland foreclosure sale remains under investigation.
—Neil Strebig, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for attempted 
Kyla Guilfoil, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
This story has been updated to reflect that the attempted poisoning Sergei Skripal led to the death of one bystander rather than two.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2024
French media reported on Thursday that another three women have lodged official complaints against Doillon, two for rape and one for attempted rape.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 July 2024
The attempted Graceland foreclosure sale remains under investigation.
—Neil Strebig, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for attempted
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attempted.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near attempted
Cite this Entry
“Attempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attempted. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share