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
Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
As the president attempts to phase out the Education Department, the SBA will absorb federal student loan programs.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
If none of this is effective at breaking up Google's monopoly, or if Google attempts to ignore the remedies, the government could force Google to sell Android.
—Ryan Whitwam, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025
As guests begin vanishing one-by-one, Ariel attempts to uncover Moretti’s ominous plan.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2025
By Clover Hope Green attempts the difficult balancing act of making Opus a horror-comedy, but the humor feels forced and low-hanging.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2025
And the carmaker that has appeared reluctant for long is now signaling interest in the market as the Indian government attempts to welcome it by implementing a new EV tariff policy.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Production will continue throughout the summer when Osbourne attempts to take the stage with his Black Sabbath bandmates for the final time at Villa Park in his hometown of Birmingham July 5.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
Production will continue through the summer, as Ozzy attempts to take the stage for one final performance with his Black Sabbath bandmates as part of a sold-out, all-star celebration at Villa Park in his hometown of Birmingham on July 5.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
The show attempts to elevate the Baldwins’s completely inconsequential activities by the sheer novelty of its participants.
—Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
As the president attempts to phase out the Education Department, the SBA will absorb federal student loan programs.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
If none of this is effective at breaking up Google's monopoly, or if Google attempts to ignore the remedies, the government could force Google to sell Android.
—Ryan Whitwam, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025
As guests begin vanishing one-by-one, Ariel attempts to uncover Moretti’s ominous plan.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2025
By Clover Hope Green attempts the difficult balancing act of making Opus a horror-comedy, but the humor feels forced and low-hanging.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2025
And the carmaker that has appeared reluctant for long is now signaling interest in the market as the Indian government attempts to welcome it by implementing a new EV tariff policy.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Production will continue throughout the summer when Osbourne attempts to take the stage with his Black Sabbath bandmates for the final time at Villa Park in his hometown of Birmingham July 5.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
Production will continue through the summer, as Ozzy attempts to take the stage for one final performance with his Black Sabbath bandmates as part of a sold-out, all-star celebration at Villa Park in his hometown of Birmingham on July 5.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempts
Verb
-
Jackson tries to see 15 to 20 people at each facility during her monthly visits.—
Jess Huff,
Austin American-Statesman,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Still, Ana tries to focus on training and putting together a stellar routine worthy of national success.—
Madeline Mitchell,
The Enquirer,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The company strives to be more than just a pet product brand.—
FunnyFuzzy Contributor,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Eggers and his go-to production designer Craig Lathrop also put a unique emphasis on building realistic worlds—their production design strives extra hard to close gaps between Eggers’s olden aesthetic and the modern audience’s perception.—
Maya Ibbitson,
Architectural Digest,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Attempts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempts. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share