attempt 1 of 2

attempt

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verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attempt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of attempt are endeavor, essay, strive, and try. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use endeavor instead of attempt?

The words endeavor and attempt can be used in similar contexts, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When could essay be used to replace attempt?

While in some cases nearly identical to attempt, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When might strive be a better fit than attempt?

The meanings of strive and attempt largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

How do try and attempt relate to one another?

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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of 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
Only one of these companies, Isar Aerospace, has attempted to launch a rocket into orbit. ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025 After voting for the federal measure that threatened to cause tens of thousands of Wisconsinites to lose Medicaid coverage, the battleground district Republican has attempted to take credit for securing additional Medicaid funding through the state budget. Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • The natural chemistry between the two appealing lead actors makes their disagreements as believable as the magnetic force that keeps coaxing them to give it another try.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
  • Perhaps there are statistics from New York to suggest Connecticut towns give it a try.
    Raj Dodani, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • In the far-western Lviv region, a large fire broke out at an industrial facility in the city of Drohobych after a drone attack that also cut electricity to parts of the city.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • Videos posted on Telegram show a large fire near Kremenchuk after the attack.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • But improvements on the field are what this group strives for each year.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Responding officers to the corner found Reyes with a stab wound to the stomach.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
  • Carol died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen in the attack, while Hannah and Louise died from the crossbow bolt injuries, per the AP.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Newsweek has revealed dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in the ICE raids.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • In one raid, federal agents detained people at a bus stop at Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue on June 18.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Born into the cult, Prophet draws comparisons between the group’s apocalyptic dogma (braced for a Soviet nuclear strike, the church built extensive Montana bomb shelters in the early 1990s), and Christian Nationalism, QAnon and the MAGA movement.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The Rundown Iran's Supreme Leader Challenges Trump A fierce war of words has erupted between Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Donald Trump following recent U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.
    Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
  • 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
  • The show issued a similar warning to viewers last year before the season six reunion as contestants had received an onslaught of online criticism.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Miller and his platoon not only survive the onslaught in Normandy, but they are tasked with the unthinkable.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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