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
Violence against public officials has been increasing in recent years, including the two recent assassination attempts in 2024 against President Donald Trump. Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 16 June 2025 His catch-and-shoot percentage of 43.2% ranks third among all players with at least 1,000 attempts over the last five years. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2025
Verb
Instead, in a tight turnaround behind Marchand’s two goals, five shots, five others attempted and plus-3 performance, the Panthers played their most complete game of the series to put themselves a win away from a second straight title. Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 June 2025 Though the officers attempted to remove him from the home to safety, he was pronounced dead shortly after. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • Devers eventually agreed to be the DH but then played a game of punitive gotcha with management by refusing to grab a glove and give first base a try after Triston Casas ruptured his left patellar tendon and was lost for the season.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • For a lighter, fresher take, give this Pizza Salad a try.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Kernodle received a delivery less than 10 minutes before the attack, which happened just after 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
  • This is essential to stop further erosion of the rule of law, the attack on democracy, and the threat of authoritarianism.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • These latest additional targets, combined with the rising civilian casualties in Israel, constitute an escalation where both sides are striving to alienate the opposing side’s public from its leadership.
    Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • For the striving artists, a steady job is not a compromise but a strategic advantage, a powerful catalyst for sustained creativity and personal well-being.
    Kice Akkawi, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • He was discovered lying face down on his bed covered in a blanket with trauma and what appeared to be a stab wound to his back, police source said.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
  • All four were University of Idaho students, and all four suffered multiple stab wounds from a large knife, according to authorities.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Immigration enforcement actions, particularly since the raids in Los Angeles in early June, have led to speculation of raids in North Texas.
    Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2025
  • The Biden administration ended the practice, saying employers exploited the raids to suppress workers from reporting labor violations.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Advertisement The strikes have raised many questions about what comes next, including how Iran will retaliate and whether the conflict will spread across the region.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 22 June 2025
  • Iran also launched a wave of missile strikes overnight, lighting a building on fire when an Israeli interceptor destroyed one of the missiles.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 21 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
  • And this is coming from a community that already dealt with an onslaught from Gov. Ron DeSantis over the past three years.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
  • While an onslaught of craft marketing has hit consumers now, the playbook is not new.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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