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
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
While the media is only privy to the attempts on the skinny field-goal post during practice, Smith gets to watch their warmup routine ahead of workouts.
—Mike Kaye
august 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
The charge stemmed from Medrano attempting to shoot his girlfriend, who was carrying their 1-year-old child, prosecutors said in court filings.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
For nearly two weeks, Texas Democrats have stymied Republicans’ attempts to redraw the state’s congressional districts in the middle of the decade by remaining out of state.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
While the media is only privy to the attempts on the skinny field-goal post during practice, Smith gets to watch their warmup routine ahead of workouts.
—Mike Kaye
august 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Two seasons ago, Hurts attempted a career-high 538 passes.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
The charge stemmed from Medrano attempting to shoot his girlfriend, who was carrying their 1-year-old child, prosecutors said in court filings.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
-
There is medical help for both circadian rhythm disorder and depression, and the mother should be urged to give it a try, if not for her own sake, then for her daughter's.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Oatmeal Raisin was passable as well, and the Psychedelic Cookies were worth a try too.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Education has been under attack in Florida for decades; the dumbing down of our schools and society is notorious.—
Robert Kesten,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
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But just this week, BPD arrested two undocumented immigrants caught on camera carrying out a violent attack in Canton.—
WBFF STAFF,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, the agency strives to keep goods flowing smoothly at the points of entry.—
Adam Stone,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
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The series has never strived to be anything more than opulent fluff, but it still gets consistently pilloried for its lack of realism.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Cops responding to a 911 call around 4 p.m. found the victim with single stab wound to his chest outside a home on 119th Ave. near Sutphin Blvd.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
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Based on statements from the couple, the boyfriend was attacked with a knife, causing a stab wound to the head.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Since then, his administration has ramped up immigration raids on businesses, threatened widespread deportation, and canceled temporary legal status for more than a million people living in the United States.—
Alexander Kustov,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Aug. 2025
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In another instance, troops that went with a federal agency conducting a raid at a cannabis farm in Riverside County formed a security perimeter that prevented people from leaving.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Gurriel then watched a slider for a strike and fouled off a 101.7 mph fastball.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Romania was forced to scramble F-16 jets after Russia carried out a strike just half a mile from the NATO nation's territory.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 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 other governments rushed to make concessions in the face of Trump’s tariff onslaught, India has remained defiant.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
University of Virginia President James E. Ryan resigned in June under pressure from the Justice Department over the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices, reflecting how the government’s premise of combating antisemitism has turned into a broader onslaught.—
Shira Li Bartov,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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