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
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Recent Examples of attempting
The man, who was driving a Kia Forte, was attempting to turn out of a gas station and onto the eastbound lanes of East Division Street.
—
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
As Vater says, attempting to pull weeds from hard soil that’s been baking under our Southern sun will result in a plant that’s simply snapped off as the stem, leaving the root system intact and ready to sprout again.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
The series finds Klein at a hinge moment, freshly out of rehab, attempting to present a dignified face to the world while still carrying every previous version of himself underneath.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 June 2026
Vallejo followed the earlier victim — again while riding on his scooter — through Bushwick before threatening her and attempting to remove her skirt, cops said.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Like MrBeast, Dhar Mann and Dude Perfect before him, Brower is attempting to build an entertainment brand that can extend far beyond any single platform.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Yet the extremist group has mobilized its members and media outlets to ramp up criticism of the agreement, heaping pressure on Iranian negotiators who have been attempting to extract concessions from a US administration intent on weakening – and possibly ending – the Islamic Republic.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Once through, he was seen speaking with United Airlines employees multiple times and attempting to board at least one flight — each time being turned away when his boarding pass failed to scan, court documents say.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 7 June 2026
The Strong Armenia party seeks to develop business ties with Russia and has accused Pashinyan of attempting to start a war with Moscow.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
As Vater says, attempting to pull weeds from hard soil that’s been baking under our Southern sun will result in a plant that’s simply snapped off as the stem, leaving the root system intact and ready to sprout again.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
The series finds Klein at a hinge moment, freshly out of rehab, attempting to present a dignified face to the world while still carrying every previous version of himself underneath.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 June 2026
Vallejo followed the earlier victim — again while riding on his scooter — through Bushwick before threatening her and attempting to remove her skirt, cops said.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Like MrBeast, Dhar Mann and Dude Perfect before him, Brower is attempting to build an entertainment brand that can extend far beyond any single platform.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Yet the extremist group has mobilized its members and media outlets to ramp up criticism of the agreement, heaping pressure on Iranian negotiators who have been attempting to extract concessions from a US administration intent on weakening – and possibly ending – the Islamic Republic.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Once through, he was seen speaking with United Airlines employees multiple times and attempting to board at least one flight — each time being turned away when his boarding pass failed to scan, court documents say.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 7 June 2026
The Strong Armenia party seeks to develop business ties with Russia and has accused Pashinyan of attempting to start a war with Moscow.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempting
Verb
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Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembélé, Jude Bellingham and others are trying to put their stamp on the tournament that takes place in the prime of their careers.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Hurt gave up two more hits, recording his only out when Jake Mangum was thrown out trying to steal third.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Other roles soon came, including a recurring character on Marlo Thomas’ That Girl as the title character’s always striving agent Harvey Peck.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
-
But now, a new crew is striving to rework some of that Barneys magic.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempting. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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