attempt

1 of 2

verb

at·​tempt ə-ˈtem(p)t How to pronounce attempt (audio)
attempted; attempting; attempts
Synonyms of attemptnext

transitive verb

1
: to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect
He attempted to swim the swollen river.
2
archaic : tempt
3
archaic : to try to subdue or take by force : attack
attemptable
ə-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl How to pronounce attempt (audio)
adjective

attempt

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act or an instance of trying to do or accomplish something : an act or instance of attempting something
She failed the test on her first attempt but passed on her second attempt.
They made an attempt [=tried] to be helpful.
often : an unsuccessful effort
a suicide attempt
b
: something resulting from or representing an attempt
… surrounded by lemon trees and a few attempts at rose bushes.—Marian Engel
2
: attack, assault
an attempt on the life of the president

Synonyms

Verb

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for attempt

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end.

attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Examples of attempt in a Sentence

Verb They've attempted a climb up Mount Everest once before. She attempted suicide early in their marriage. Noun She failed her driving test on the first attempt but she succeeded on her second attempt. Her attempt at a home-cooked meal consisted of frozen fish sticks and a can of soup.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Davis attempted at least two 3-point shots in each of the last four games entering Saturday, knocking down at least a pair of 3-pointers in all of those games too, going a combined 8 for 12. —Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024 Three attempts to capture author James Patterson’s massive Alex Cross thriller franchise flopped on the big screen. —Ronda Racha Penrice, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
Louisville committed a personal foul penalty on a 1-yard reception by Mosley to set up a 57-yard field goal attempt with one second left. —Harold Gutmann, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 For two decades, the organization has raged against government and corporate attempts to amass information on gun buyers. —Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attempt 

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French attempter, from Latin attemptare, from ad- + temptare to touch, try — more at tempt

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of attempt was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing attempt

Dictionary Entries Near attempt

attemperator

attempt

attempted

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attempt. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

attempt

1 of 2 verb
at·​tempt ə-ˈtem(p)t How to pronounce attempt (audio)
1
: to try to do or perform
attempt an escape
2
: to make an effort : try
attempt to solve the problem

attempt

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or an instance of attempting
especially : an unsuccessful effort
2
: attack entry 2 sense 1
an attempt on the president's life

Legal Definition

attempt

noun
at·​tempt
: the crime of having the intent to commit and taking action in an effort to commit a crime that fails or is prevented

called also criminal attempt

see also impossibility

Note: There must generally be more than preparation to be guilty of attempt.

More from Merriam-Webster on attempt

Nglish: Translation of attempt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of attempt for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about attempt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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