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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
But despite all that time on college rosters, Grant entered Tuesday with just one career field goal on two attempts. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 Several attempts were made to start a Sweetest Day and Candy Day in New York City as well, but the celebration is still most popular in the Great Lakes region. Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Rodman, 23, went to the ground after attempting a tackle in the 41st minute. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025 Hov recently attempted to expand his business imprint domestically, in addition to advising the powers that be overseas. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • No team has done that in the regular season in the last 24 tries.
    Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
  • This will be another attempt to approve legislation to fund the government, following seven previous unsuccessful tries.
    Terry Moseley, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Islamists were seen as complicit in India’s worst plane hijack in 1999 and the 2008 attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul, which killed several Indian citizens, including two senior diplomats.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Shannon will man larger perimeter players, but not necessarily the point of attack as often.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, Newcastle teams strive for victory.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Managing the performance of the current car while working on the 2026 challenger is a tough balance that teams are striving to achieve, with some even ending the development of the current car.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The victim was taken to the hospital with 15 stab wounds, but survived, prosecutors said.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … 'ADMITTEDLY UNUSUAL' – Teacher's 23-stab-wound death ruled suicide again despite expert claims of homicide.
    , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Chicago has emerged as a focal point in the national debate, with the city's leadership vocally opposing federal immigration crackdowns and raids.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • An attempt to set fire to the truck used to carry out the raid was foiled by a Louvre security officer, forcing the burglar to flee, according to the culture ministry’s statement.
    Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The strike, the largest ever for Kaiser unions, began less than a week ago, with the healthcare giant flying in thousands of replacement staff from around the country to fill critical patient care jobs.
    Pat Maio, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The legality of the strikes has been questioned internationally and at home, and the administration has yet to provide Congress any evidence the people killed were trafficking drugs.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But when Gwen falls into a dream state, the Grabber's assault on the group threatens to derail their plan entirely.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Of those six assault cases, Berchtold was only found guilty of rape of a child once and spent one year in jail, Jan told Vulture.
    Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Is this onslaught of messaging and mudslinging working?
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The breaches come as the air travel industry has been dealing with an onslaught of cyberattacks that have caused disruptions for customers and ground some of the world’s largest airports to a halt.
    Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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