Synonyms of attempting

attempting

verb

present participle of attempt

as in trying

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

• trying
• striving
• seeking
• endeavoring
• essaying
• assaying
• hoping
• shooting at
• struggling
• aiming
• having a go at
• working
• trying one's hand (at)
• toiling
• fighting
• undertaking
• troubling
• aspiring
• straining
• assuming
• taking up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dropping
• giving up
• quitting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of attempting

Stokes was previously involved in case in front of the Connecticut Supreme Court after prosecutors charged him with attempting to tamper with the jury in his second murder trial. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026

Emails attempting to reach the Bears and NFL for comment were not returned, and that's understandable. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

An investigation revealed the man was run over as a driver was attempting to kill two people, according to a warrant. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026

The Hurricanes have been chasing a national championship ever since that 2001 team’s dominant effort, a quarter-century of attempting to get back to the top of the college football world. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

Also, earlier this month, Pakistani security forces killed 15 militants attempting to cross into the country from Afghanistan. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Late in the Bears’ miserable offensive showing against the Vikings at a rainy Soldier Field, Williams was attempting to score the game’s first touchdown in the fourth quarter. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

The agent said he was injured while attempting to handcuff the individual and declined medical treatment, according to the news release from Evanston police. — Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2026

In May, Cloobeck was arrested and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026