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

An inmate in Lansing, Kansas, was sentenced to almost five years in prison Wednesday after attempting to injure two correctional officers with a broomstick. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

With a smaller number of codes that reference various products and rate plans, T-Mobile is attempting to greatly simplify its back-end system. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026

La Roja will dominate the game, attempting to pass Argentina to death and looking to capitalize on any slips of concentration. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

To Ford’s credit, the company is attempting to preempt the threat of Chinese competition with product, in the form of a $30,000 electric pickup. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 16 July 2026

In the killings of Good and Pretti in Minneapolis, DHS initially accused them of being domestic terrorists and of attempting to hurt or kill federal immigration agents. — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 16 July 2026

Chicas was attempting to turn when Gresham’s Chrysler 300 collided with her vehicle, police said. — Diamy Wang, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026

Salgado Araujo, the department added, was shot after disregarding orders and attempting to ram an agent, who fired his weapon in self-defense. — María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Lively also accused Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of attempting to orchestrate a smear campaign against her, allegations Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have denied. — ABC News, 9 July 2026