attempt 1 of 2

attempt

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verb

as in to try
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attempt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of attempt are endeavor, essay, strive, and try. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use endeavor instead of attempt?

The words endeavor and attempt can be used in similar contexts, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When could essay be used to replace attempt?

While in some cases nearly identical to attempt, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When might strive be a better fit than attempt?

The meanings of strive and attempt largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

How do try and attempt relate to one another?

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

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 attempt
Noun
The Wild finally gained possession, worked it up the wall and Ryan Hartman’s low-speed attempt at an exit was picked off by Dobson and his shot was tipped past Filip Gustavsson by Casey Cizikas 36 seconds after Zuccarello’s goal. Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 However, at the reunion, the pair confirmed things ultimately didn't work out for them, despite several attempts at a romance. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Left unclear is whether Bukele will use the exclusive setting to attempt to request relief on Trump’s 10% across-the-board tariff, which could push up El Salvador’s historically low inflation rate, a data point Bukele has been trumpeting on social media. David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025 The new initiative comes as the Italian island attempts to curb overtourism by implementing a digital reservation system on various beaches. Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • Priced at $1 a box, there’s no reason not to give it a try.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
  • So why not give it a try as my menu conductor for the week?
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There has been a big labor split, however, with carpenters and laborers unions going heavily for Moreno — and waging tough attacks against Aguirre.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • On Friday, a Russian ballistic missile and drone attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih -- Zelenskyy's home town -- killed 19 people, including nine children.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Grand Slams have certainly increased their compensation as each strives to make their experience bigger and better.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Passionate about Jewish education and social justice, Olga strives to connect individuals and communities with opportunities to make a difference and support the sustainability of Jewish nonprofits.
    Olga & Igor Alterman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • An autopsy revealed that Marie Pheasant died of stab wounds to her neck and stomach, prosecutors said.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Police found Hurd, 32, dead with multiple stab wounds in her townhome in Charlotte's upscale South Park neighborhood on July 14 of last year while responding to a call for medical assistance that afternoon.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The police, several older unhoused people explained to me, were making their lives increasingly difficult by staging regular raids.
    Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Critics say such raids sow fear in vulnerable communities.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At the hospital, Palestinians killed in the strike were wrapped in white cloths or rugs.
    Kareem Khadder and Dana Karni, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But soon all production activities stopped due to strikes from both the screenwriters’ and actors’ unions.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.
    Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.
    Reuters, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2023
Noun
  • Well, that portion of the proclamation has spurred quite an onslaught of chuckles and guffaws.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • For whatever reason, the default federal approach has been to assume that U.S. taxpayers should help pay for any efforts needed to slow the sewage onslaught from Tijuana.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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