attempt

American  

[uh-tempt] / əˈtɛmpt /

verb (used with object)

• attempts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• attempted,
  past participle,  past
• attempting
  present participle

1. to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek.

   to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.

2. Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner.

   to attempt a person's life.

3. Archaic. to tempt.

---

noun

• attempts
  plural

1. an effort made to accomplish something.

   He made an attempt to swim across the lake.

   Synonyms:

   endeavor, try

2. an attack or assault.

   an attempt upon the leader's life.

attempt British  

/ əˈtɛmpt /

verb

1. to make an effort (to do something) or to achieve (something); try

2. to try to surmount (an obstacle)

3. to try to climb

   they will attempt the north wall of the Eiger

4. archaic to attack

5. archaic to tempt

---

noun

1. an endeavour to achieve something; effort

2. a result of an attempt or endeavour

3. 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

• attemptability
  noun
• attempter
  noun
• quasi-attempt
  verb
• reattempt
  verb (used with object)
• attemptable
  adjective
• unattemptable
  adjective
• unattempted
  adjective
• unattempting
  adjective
• well-attempted
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• attempts
  plural

Participles

• attempting
  present
• attempted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• attempt
  simple
• attempts
  simple
• have attempted
  perfect
• has attempted
  perfect
• am attempting
  progressive
• are attempting
  progressive
• is attempting
  progressive
• have been attempting
  perfect progressive
• has been attempting
  perfect progressive

Past

• attempted
  simple
• had attempted
  perfect
• was attempting
  progressive
• were attempting
  progressive
• had been attempting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will attempt
  simple
• will have attempted
  perfect
• will be attempting
  progressive
• will have been attempting
  perfect progressive

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!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

attempt attempts attempted attempting

"His judgment is a devastating critique of an attempt to destroy a newspaper and the reputations of its journalists, editors and executives," the statement added.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

Sheinbaum vehemently denied any attempt to compile a blacklist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Divine's attempt to do things differently could also be its biggest challenge, according to social media analyst Matt Nevarra.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Blue Apron, FreshRealm’s largest customer, also filed a lawsuit to attempt to get out of its contract with FreshRealm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

I said, and then shook my head as I realized that she was talking about Tess and Eliana and the rest of the kids we’d brought to the Academy in our attempt to save it.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

She is unsure whether they should have a child, but her repeated attempts to reach Max go unanswered.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

A piglet that captured Los Angelenos’ hearts and minds after its attempts to elude multiple pursuers in West Hollywood last weekend went viral has been adopted by a foundation headed by Grammy-award-winning songwriter Diane Warren.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

The transfer ends United's attempts to strengthen their midfield following the departure of veteran Brazilian Casemiro after his contract expired.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

"For many months now, espionage, sabotage and extremely far-reaching attempts to exert influence have been part of everyday life."

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

Colin attempts to brush the wrinkles from his jacket.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

The Gunners also attempted to sign Vinicius Jr, another left winger, before the Brazil star agreed a new contract with Real Madrid.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

In California, state leaders once attempted to shut down privately run detention centers and, after losing, resorted instead to proposing other oversight measures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

Days before the trial, Meta attempted to block Bejar from testifying, a move that the judge denied.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

The president attempted nuclear diplomacy with the autocrat during his first term.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

After countless hours, countless plans attempted and abandoned, the task had been deemed impossible.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

This is, of course, exactly the sort of interaction that restaurant apps are forever attempting to imitate.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

In November 2025, a faction of the party, which observers say represented the majority of members, held a contentious national convention in Ibadan, Oyo state, despite court orders attempting to stop it.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Beijing is attempting to simultaneously manage deep-set issues in the property sector while minimising turbulence for the domestic economy.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

Wide receiver Quentin Johnston limped to the sideline after attempting a leaping catch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Celia shuts her eyes, attempting to concentrate, but it has always been difficult to push him away once he has grabbed ahold of her, and she cannot manage it.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• attack
• bid
• endeavor
• experiment
• pursuit
• shot
• struggle
• try