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

Each showcases human actors and their dedication to their craft in a moment when machines are attempting to replace a face, voice and life force. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

The crash happened on West Hillsboro Boulevard when a driver attempting a U-turn was struck by a motorcyclist, flipping the car, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office. — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

JPMorgan has thrown in the towel after attempting for months to forecast how and when the Iran war would end. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 17 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

The nineteenth century saw authors in other countries (Germany, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Norway) attempting to firm up their nationalist claims by ransacking popular ballads, rustic legends, and oral traditions. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Hong KongReuters — A Hong Kong court convicted Dow Jones, the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, on Thursday of attempting to block a former reporter from becoming the head of a press union, but cleared it of unlawfully firing her. — CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

There was no reason for photographer Tom Franklin to think his photo of firefighters attempting to raise the American flag would become anything more than one photograph among the hundreds taken at Ground Zero that day. — Mallorie Sullivan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

When Kirk returns to the bridge, Reeger catches him in the act of attempting to send a message about Reeger’s plan and seeking permission to relieve him of duty. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026