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

Bowie appeared in court Thursday and was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations. — Jack Date, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Jessica Bowie, 35, is facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group ISIS after a confidential informant told the FBI that Bowie had reached out for help making explosives. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

In a criminal complaint, federal prosecutors in the Northern District of New York charged Jessica Bowie, 35, with attempting to provide material support for foreign terrorist organizations. — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

So the news that the 21-year-old was accused of killing David Henry Breaux and Karim Abou Najm and attempting to kill Kimberlee Guillory, left past teammates and friends in a state of shock. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

However, Meehan turned violent, stalking Debra and attempting to stab Terra. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Pezzulo was attempting to lift debris off his comrades when the North Tower collapsed 30 minutes later and he was buried by falling debris. — ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026

One of that film’s memorable scenes featured Kirby in a tense trivia telephone showdown with the Ghostface killer, rushing through the titles of several slasher films while attempting to save one of her friends. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

And the dangers faced by vessels attempting to navigate the crucial waterway was underlined Thursday night when the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said two of its ships had been attacked in the strait. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026