attempt
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek.
to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.
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Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner.
to attempt a person's life.
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Archaic. to tempt.
verb
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to make an effort (to do something) or to achieve (something); try
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to try to surmount (an obstacle)
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to try to climb
they will attempt the north wall of the Eiger
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archaic to attack
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archaic to tempt
noun
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an endeavour to achieve something; effort
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a result of an attempt or endeavour
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an attack, esp with the intention to kill
an attempt on his life
Usage
What does attempt mean? An attempt is an effort made to complete a task, as in My attempt to go to the concert failed when my car broke down. To attempt means to try to complete a task, as in When Riddhi attempted to run to better her health, she found that she really enjoyed it too. When you attempt something, you are making some kind of effort, whether or not you succeed. To attempt is to try. Example: Louise attempted to make bread, but she forgot to add yeast to the recipe.
Synonym Usage
See try.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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unattemptingadjective
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attemptableadjective
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attempternoun
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unattemptedadjective
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quasi-attemptverb
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unattemptableadjective
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well-attemptedadjective
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attemptabilitynoun
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reattemptverb (used with object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have attemptedperfect
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has attemptedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been attemptingperfect progressive
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attemptingparticiple
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am attemptingprogressive 1st person singular
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attemptssingular 3rd person
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has been attemptingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is attemptingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are attemptingprogressive
Past
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had attemptedperfect
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were attemptingprogressive plural
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attemptedparticiple
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had been attemptingperfect progressive
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was attemptingprogressive singular
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attemptedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of attempt
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Anglo-French atempter from Latin attemptāre “to test, tamper with.” See at-, tempt
Explanation
To attempt is to make an effort. You may attempt to read a book, but if you fail, no harm. If you attempt to jump from one building to the next and fail . . . . Ouch. The word attempt can also be used as a noun. It's an honest effort to do something. Your attempt to bake a birthday cake may look like a disaster, but the birthday boy will appreciate the effort anyway. The noun attempt can also mean an attack on a person or place, but in this case, it's best to hope that the attempt is not on your life. And never, ever attempt that sort of thing at home!
Vocabulary lists containing attempt
"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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American Football, 1st Quarter
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Nothing But the Truth
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Stress essentially leads to sexual reproduction, and when that happens, we can see a massive increase in dispersal distances as animals attempt to colonise new areas due to an increase in competition."
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Renée Saldaña, a spokesperson for SEIU-UHW, characterized the lawsuit against the initiative as “a really desperate attempt by the clinic industry to try and avoid accountability.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
After your mother’s death, if she received Medicaid-funded nursing-home care, the Nebraska Medicaid agency may attempt to be reimbursed for care costs out of whatever remains of the estate, including her interest in the home.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
Next season is crucial for West Ham in their attempt to return to the Premier League at the first opportunity, given the huge hit in revenue of being outside the top flight.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Only when the front door is closed and latched does Mom attempt a smile.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
