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
Late in the third period, Michkov gave the puck away in the neutral zone while attempting a high-risk, cross-ice pass, resulting in the Senators quickly transitioning the other way.
—
Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
In addition to his lack of fourth-quarter production against Orlando, Brown also drew just one shooting foul in the loss, attempting his only two free throws midway through the second quarter.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Sacramento police arrested Christina Cowens on suspicion of felony grand theft and misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of human remains and attempting to conceal a death.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Investigators quickly determined that Ríos Pérez and her husband were not attempting to break into the home.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 7 Nov. 2025
Lake Ridge went for the kill, attempting an onside kick that was recovered by Eury Newkirk.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Russia has for many months been attempting to encircle Pokrovsk and neighboring Myrnohrad from the north and south.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
While attempting to grab the suspect, authorities believe the agent’s weapon discharged, striking both the suspect and a deputy US marshal.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Alexis Correa, who DHS claimed was the driver and a member of the Latin Kings, allegedly followed agents for several miles before attempting to ram the vehicle.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
In addition to his lack of fourth-quarter production against Orlando, Brown also drew just one shooting foul in the loss, attempting his only two free throws midway through the second quarter.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Sacramento police arrested Christina Cowens on suspicion of felony grand theft and misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of human remains and attempting to conceal a death.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Investigators quickly determined that Ríos Pérez and her husband were not attempting to break into the home.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 7 Nov. 2025
Lake Ridge went for the kill, attempting an onside kick that was recovered by Eury Newkirk.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Russia has for many months been attempting to encircle Pokrovsk and neighboring Myrnohrad from the north and south.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
While attempting to grab the suspect, authorities believe the agent’s weapon discharged, striking both the suspect and a deputy US marshal.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Alexis Correa, who DHS claimed was the driver and a member of the Latin Kings, allegedly followed agents for several miles before attempting to ram the vehicle.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempting
Verb
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Someone trying to keep the clicks coming to make a living, or a leader of the repressed?—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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My body’s in a C shape, trying to track the aim.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Most in the league seem to think the Bills, after years of striving for a Super Bowl, are having a hard time staying motivated when the stakes are lower.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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At Miami, that’s supposed to be striving for championships.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempting. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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