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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attempt
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The resignation letter didn’t elaborate, and although Truver initially agreed to an interview, subsequent attempts to contact her were unsuccessful.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
The omnipresent threat of drones could complicate any Ukrainian retreat effort, which would likely see Kyiv's troops attempt to break out to the west of the city using its under-fire supply routes.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
The workplace watchdog claims in court documents that the sheriff’s office largely refused to cooperate with its attempt to interview employees and acquire law enforcement records.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The resignation letter didn’t elaborate, and although Truver initially agreed to an interview, subsequent attempts to contact her were unsuccessful.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Instead, watching Charles attempt to insert himself into the Garfield Administration by forging papers and sneaking into buildings feels repetitive and a bit dull.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
The omnipresent threat of drones could complicate any Ukrainian retreat effort, which would likely see Kyiv's troops attempt to break out to the west of the city using its under-fire supply routes.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
-
Must-try metro Phoenix restaurants Amid a wave of new restaurant openings, put an unusual Phoenix chicken joint, Scottsdale fine dining and Chandler supper club on your try-first list.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Trailing by 11 in the final seconds of the first half, the Chiefs faced fourth-and-goal from the 1, a spot in which Andy Reid should have left the offense on the field for one more try.—
Sam McDowell
November 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Good's defenders – including city and state leaders – are calling what happened an unjustified attack; federal authorities say the agent was acting in self-defense.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In Kyiv, a CNN reporter said that the attack began around midnight, starting with multiple drone strikes on residential buildings.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Let’s strive for greater together.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The development comes as Netflix strives to become more competitive with its peers in the battle to win ad dollars from Madison Avenue.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
His head was swollen to twice its size, he’d been badly beaten and bruised, and there were two holes in his chest that could have been bullet or stab wounds.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Schroeder suffered multiple stab wounds and lacerations and died four days later, police said.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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He is being held on a $2 million bond for a murder charge and must pay $200,000, as well as a $5,000 bond for an assault charge, to be released.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Three police officers lean on a silver car blocking a Louvre entrance, hours after thieves carried out a daylight raid on French crown jewels.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement 'Exhausted and bruised' The first video from last week, in which agents drive away with a toddler still in the back, took place in Los Angeles during a raid at Home Depot in the Cypress Park neighborhood.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That’s with a 44 percent offensive-zone starting percentage.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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David Ellison launched his WBD offensive shortly after closing the Paramount Skydance merger in August with a trio of unsolicited offers for the entire company, all rejected.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
And Tagovailoa shook off that early interception with a 9-yard scoring pass to Malik Washington — capping a ferocious seven-minute, 92-yard drive — and then a 38-yard TD strike to Jaylen Waddle.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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