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
Relevance
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
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
Tamar Gakharia, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The environmental lawsuit is the latest attempt to prevent the governor from carrying out his unpopular return-to-office order.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026
Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
During the war, Iran is also believed to have attempted to target British military facilities as far away as Cyprus.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
That’s mastering the art of new beginnings—one attempt at a time.
—Tamar Gakharia, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The environmental lawsuit is the latest attempt to prevent the governor from carrying out his unpopular return-to-office order.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
The movie becomes a two-hander between Scott’s Stagg and Fraser’s Eisenhower, the former convinced that a storm on June 5 will make conditions less than ideal, the latter raging at the uncertainty while simultaneously attempting to placate a phalanx of military personnel.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
During the war, Iran is also believed to have attempted to target British military facilities as far away as Cyprus.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
-
Harel cleared it on his first try while Woodson failed on his three attempts to ensure a second straight state title for Harel, who won with a height of 6-9 last year.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
When Brazil won its third world championship in four tries in 1970, the great defender Carlos Alberto captained the team, and not the legendary Pele.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The first-half diagnosis The strangest part of San Diego’s sophomore season is that the attack has not collapsed.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Her 50-something protagonist, Alan Anderson, and his socially striving wife Vivian, are at least about to start thinking about where their family is going to go, once Alan retreats to a backyard playhouse.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
The Bears are also emphasizing ball placement with all of their quarterbacks, striving for pinpoint precision on throws as often as possible.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Both were found suffering from multiple stab wounds inside the residence, according to the New York Daily News.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Three horses participating in a barrel race competition in Las Vegas suffered multiple stab wounds.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Between 2012 and 2015, Perry was also convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, domestic violence, possession of ammunition as a felon and fleeing from police in Sacramento County, according to the criminal complaint.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Today, not only are these conditions under assault by a kleptocratic, nativist US federal government, but the clock seems also to be running out on their own internal contradictions.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors say Ian Roberts spent nearly two decades working in urban schools without authorization, using a counterfeit Social Security card as Des Moines’ leader, even as Trump-era ICE raids intensified.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
The bakery became a gathering point for community support during federal immigration raids in Charlotte last fall, when Betancur temporarily closed the shop for the first time in its history.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Hours after Iran suspended negotiations with the US over Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, talks are now back on track, a regional source told CNN.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
Hezbollah’s fusillade in March sparked a furious response from Israel, which launched a blistering air campaign and a ground offensive that pushed troops deeper into Lebanon.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Early scattered four hits, three walks and recorded seven strikeouts across his start, which required a season-high 97 pitches (65 for strikes).—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
-
Now in its fourth year, the event started in the fraught year of 2023, with economic contraction being exacerbated across Hollywood by the dual strikes, both of which were driven in part by anxieties about AI.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
