1
as in try
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
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2
as in attack
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 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attempt
Brie Stimson, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025
With the countdown within 45 minutes of launch, NASA called off an attempt to launch the next crew to the International Space Station Thursday evening to allow more time to troubleshoot a ground system hydraulics issue.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 10 Mar. 2025
The company also plans to once again reignite its Raptor engines in space to attempt an orbital burn – a crucial maneuver to one day bring a vehicle back to the ground.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
Christina’s efforts to now blame his father for that incident are absolutely wrong and nothing more than an attempt to generate media attention and force him to pay her money.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025
With the countdown within 45 minutes of launch, NASA called off an attempt to launch the next crew to the International Space Station Thursday evening to allow more time to troubleshoot a ground system hydraulics issue.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
As a result of the plea deal, prosecutors have agreed to drop charges of murder, attempted murder and first-degree residential burglary against Scott, who was the family’s nanny.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 10 Mar. 2025
The company also plans to once again reignite its Raptor engines in space to attempt an orbital burn – a crucial maneuver to one day bring a vehicle back to the ground.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
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The style even impressed one shopper who hates sneakers, but gave these a try after their podiatrist suggested the brand.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2025
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Odds: 55% Soundgarden The lot of 1990s bands feels less crowded this year, making Soundgarden a coin flip to make it on its third try.—
Troy Smith,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The attack starts with hackers uploading what looks like a harmless extension to the Chrome Web Store.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
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Phil Blair, Manpower YES: The current administration’s erratic behavior, both in DOGE attacks on federal agencies and executive orders, have made the business community very nervous.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kyiv has been striving to prove its readiness for peace while stressing that no deal can succeed without American security guarantees to deter repeat Russian aggression.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2025
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As artificial intelligence significantly impacts industries, business leaders strive to adopt this technology immediately to remain competitive.—
Alexandr Khomich,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The incident comes a day after a 25-year-old Waterbury woman suffered from multiple stab wounds during a domestic violence incident in the area of Rose Street and Walnut Street.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2025
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Initially, authorities believed the murders weren’t connected to each other, even with the similar stab wounds and wall markings.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Military bloggers from both sides say Ukraine is on the back foot, while Ukraine’s army says Russian forces used a gas pipeline to launch a surprise raid in one area.—
Maria Kostenko, Christian Edwards and Sophie Tanno,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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In separate raids on Crimean anchorages in February, May and June 2024, the USVs sank a corvette, a landing ship, a patrol boat and a tugboat.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Either way, drone strikes on logistics seem to have been an important factor.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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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
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The source of the misunderstanding appears to be a map in the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac that incorrectly states that Maryland can expect an onslaught of Brood XIV (14) cicadas this year.—
Mary Carole McCauley,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2025
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Gascón, the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Academy Award, faced an onslaught of backlash after old social media posts about George Floyd and Islam came to light.—
Tracy Wright,
Fox News,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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