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
Relevance
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 attempting
Muse noted that his team has the ability to dust itself off and remain positive, even amid profound adversity, such as attempting to come back from down 3-0.
—
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Iran has responded by stepping up its attacks on ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Some situations aren’t as clear-cut, with parents attempting to meet their children’s needs, but falling short because of mental health problems or substance use.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Best Types of Soaps to Use Any soap with a strong scent will work when attempting to deter deer.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
The seizure is an escalation of the blockade and comes after Iran fired upon commercial vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz earlier Sunday.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
However, in that same May 2025 assault case, Garcia Moran pled guilty to attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, a Class 6 felony.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
Iranian forces were also reported to have turned back vessels attempting to transit the route on Sunday.
—Gemma Fox, Time, 19 Apr. 2026
Avoid attempting to walk to safety.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Iran has responded by stepping up its attacks on ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Some situations aren’t as clear-cut, with parents attempting to meet their children’s needs, but falling short because of mental health problems or substance use.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Best Types of Soaps to Use Any soap with a strong scent will work when attempting to deter deer.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
The seizure is an escalation of the blockade and comes after Iran fired upon commercial vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz earlier Sunday.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
However, in that same May 2025 assault case, Garcia Moran pled guilty to attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, a Class 6 felony.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
Iranian forces were also reported to have turned back vessels attempting to transit the route on Sunday.
—Gemma Fox, Time, 19 Apr. 2026
Avoid attempting to walk to safety.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempting
Verb
-
What Brody and others are trying to dismantle is already part of a daunting corporate and technological superstructure.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
As one of many nations on the continent reliant on energy imports, Kenya is trying to avoid fuel shortages.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boring dad; feisty mom; rich do-gooder; striving newcomer; MAGA one; MAGA two.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempting. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
