1
as in tries
an effort to do or accomplish something
it took several attempts before we made good ice cream with an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream freezer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in attacks
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
several attempts on the life of the country's chief drug enforcement official
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in strives
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
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 attempts
Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
New data reported to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
The actor then responded with a pre-planned flurry of curse words, and the following two decades were filled with couple's counseling, subtle digs and many more of Damon's attempts to sneak into Kimmel's studio.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The defense led the way, allowing four Ryan rushing yards on 19 attempts and 169 total yards.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
Conversely, history is littered with failed leftist attempts to oust Labour as the main party of the British working class.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2025
Dart connected on 13 of his 20 pass attempts in the home win at MetLife Stadium, logging 111 yards and a passing touchdown.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
After the loss of his father, a man attempts to utilize childhood nostalgia as a coping mechanism.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Harrelson stars as Philip Doom, a wealthy American industrialist who attempts to reconnect with his daughter Madeleine (played by Stewart) during a luxurious trip to Paris.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
He was featured in many of the show’s comedy segments, including a spinoff of the popular sketches in which George Washington attempts to educate soldiers about his new country’s language and customs.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
The pair attempts the move again in a second clip, where Chmerkovskiy goes flying over Alix's head.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The other officer attempts to pull the man out of the driver’s seat while Heskett reaches in to help, then appears to push himself away from the vehicle just before the suspect drives off.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Laranjo will be tasked with the directing finances as the company attempts to revert sliding sales and poor economic performance.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Miller also criticized policies Democrats implement in public schools and attempts to interfere with home schooling.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
Nix, through three quarters, had completed only one of his eight pass attempts of 10 or more air yards, according to TruMedia.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
New data reported to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
The actor then responded with a pre-planned flurry of curse words, and the following two decades were filled with couple's counseling, subtle digs and many more of Damon's attempts to sneak into Kimmel's studio.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The defense led the way, allowing four Ryan rushing yards on 19 attempts and 169 total yards.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
Conversely, history is littered with failed leftist attempts to oust Labour as the main party of the British working class.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2025
Dart connected on 13 of his 20 pass attempts in the home win at MetLife Stadium, logging 111 yards and a passing touchdown.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
Priester will be rested and ready for Game 3 on Wednesday as Milwaukee attempts to clinch its first National League Championship Series appearance since 2018.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
After the loss of his father, a man attempts to utilize childhood nostalgia as a coping mechanism.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Harrelson stars as Philip Doom, a wealthy American industrialist who attempts to reconnect with his daughter Madeleine (played by Stewart) during a luxurious trip to Paris.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
He was featured in many of the show’s comedy segments, including a spinoff of the popular sketches in which George Washington attempts to educate soldiers about his new country’s language and customs.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
The pair attempts the move again in a second clip, where Chmerkovskiy goes flying over Alix's head.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The other officer attempts to pull the man out of the driver’s seat while Heskett reaches in to help, then appears to push himself away from the vehicle just before the suspect drives off.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Laranjo will be tasked with the directing finances as the company attempts to revert sliding sales and poor economic performance.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Miller also criticized policies Democrats implement in public schools and attempts to interfere with home schooling.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempts
Noun
-
Harper fouled off Snell’s fourth consecutive slider to bring the count to 1-2, then the lefty bounced a curveball before firing his fifth slider in six tries.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Hoskins’ latest attempt — his second of three potential tries — is now before Green, who will decide whether to approve the new language or order Hoskins to rewrite it.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.—
Daniella Segura,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Kurt's key takeaway The fact that Chrome has already faced six zero-day attacks this year shows how relentless attackers are and how even the most popular software can have serious gaps.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
How Democrats fare in efforts to reclaim the governor's office could preview a national pattern and influence party strategies as the GOP strives to maintain control of the House and Senate while Democrats push for significant gains after a disappointing 2024.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Years after Air Force Combat Controller John Chapman fought to the death to save his fellow soldiers, an intelligence officer strives to prove his valor — leading an investigation that ultimately would secure him the Medal of Honor.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These nation-wide country-goes-city celebrations of agricultural bounty, mechanical innovations and skilled handcrafts have been drawing crowds since the first fair was held in upstate New York in 1841.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The city of Evanston, an urban suburb of Chicago, issued a statement warning its residents of impending raids by ICE agents and urging them to report sightings of law enforcement.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Prtizker criticized Noem, who has made several ads and social media posts of herself joining ICE raids, for her rhetoric.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That did actually happen, but Van Sant and screenwriter Austin Kolodny make some additional stabs at turning Fred into the spine of the picture, structuring the movie around his broadcasts — a filmmaking convention that doesn’t really bring anything new to this particular story.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Shorter sci-fi stabs meet surging upward flourishes which also link Believe stylistically to disco and Hi-NRG, associating the track with certain gay subcultural histories.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Cyber attacks are sometimes referred to when talking about types of hybrid assaults, or tactics which aren’t open warfare but are designed to be destabilizing.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Rodriguez-Torres' arrest comes amid reports that threats and assaults against ICE officers have surged by more than 1,000% in recent years.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
August represented somewhat of a lull in Russian strikes.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Efficient, high-torque electric motors can be repurposed for precise navigation and dexterity for military strikes.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempts. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share