1
as in try
an effort to do or accomplish something
it took several attempts before we made good ice cream with an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream freezer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
several attempts on the life of the country's chief drug enforcement official
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to try
to make an effort to do
after attempting—and failing—to start the lawn mower on my own, I finally succeeded with a neighbor's help don't even attempt walking on your broken foot
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attempt
Bethany Blankley, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Brooks is featured throughout the 2024 documentary Remembering Gene Wilder and talks about his attempts to help Wilder following his Alzheimer's diagnosis.
—Alex Apatoff, People.com, 28 June 2025
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes yesterday, but her personal best came up short.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
The injunctions played a key role in attempts to block immigration enforcement, including high profile deportations of TdA members.
—Bethany Blankley, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Brooks is featured throughout the 2024 documentary Remembering Gene Wilder and talks about his attempts to help Wilder following his Alzheimer's diagnosis.
—Alex Apatoff, People.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes yesterday, but her personal best came up short.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
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For a lighter, fresher take, give this Pizza Salad a try.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2025
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Devers eventually agreed to be the DH but then played a game of punitive gotcha with management by refusing to grab a glove and give first base a try after Triston Casas ruptured his left patellar tendon and was lost for the season.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Noun
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This is essential to stop further erosion of the rule of law, the attack on democracy, and the threat of authoritarianism.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Even after that, Microsoft refused to take full responsibility and hasn’t done enough to prevent future attacks.—
Jovante Teague,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Kenn Ricci, founder of Flexjet, is an executive who strives to embody both while also running a business in one of the more challenging industries to be sustainable in, aviation.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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But improvements on the field are what this group strives for each year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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He was discovered lying face down on his bed covered in a blanket with trauma and what appeared to be a stab wound to his back, police source said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2025
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All four were University of Idaho students, and all four suffered multiple stab wounds from a large knife, according to authorities.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Healthcare facilities that serve low-income patients have reported a recent spike in no-shows as residents lacking documentation opt to skip medical visits amid rumors of raids at hospitals and clinics.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
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This Pride month, in the face of a U.S. administration that is targeting the community and with immigration raids as a backdrop, actions like his have become more important than ever.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Advertisement The strikes have raised many questions about what comes next, including how Iran will retaliate and whether the conflict will spread across the region.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
22 June 2025
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Israeli officials say 24 people have been killed in Iranian strikes in Israel, and more than 1,000 wounded.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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While Quansah gave away a penalty to make it 2-1, England defended Spain’s second half onslaught incredibly well both collectively and individually.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Shops have been closed across Tehran, including in its famed Grand Bazaar, as people wait in gas lines and pack roads leading out of the city to escape the onslaught.—
Joseph Krauss,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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