attempt

[ uh-tempt ]

verb (used with object)

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

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

/ 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

Attempt should not be used in the passive when followed by an infinitive: attempts were made to find a solution (not a solution was attempted to be found )

Derived Forms

• atˈtempter, noun
• atˈtemptable, adjective

Other Words From

• at·tempta·bili·ty noun
• at·tempta·ble adjective
• at·tempter noun
• quasi-at·tempt verb
• reat·tempt verb (used with object)
• unat·tempta·ble adjective
• unat·tempted adjective
• unat·tempting adjective
• well-at·tempted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attempt¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Anglo-French atempter from Latin attemptāre “to test, tamper with.” See at-, tempt

Word History and Origins

Origin of attempt¹

C14: from Old French attempter, from Latin attemptāre to strive after, from tentāre to try

Synonym Study

See try.

Example Sentences

In 2022, the prestigious opera company was controversially told to leave the capital or lose its £12m annual Arts Council England subsidy, as part of an attempt to "level up" arts funding.

From BBC

When Smith died little more than six months later, Prescott was - at the third attempt - elected deputy Labour leader, and became deputy PM in 1997.

From BBC

Even after her mother’s arrest, the girl continued to take ibuprofen “in an attempt to make herself ill, to cover up for her mother,” he added.

From BBC

The peacebuilding process attempted to lessen poverty and improve communities' livelihoods, but Nepal's communities faced significant difficulties due to the persistence of the underlying causes of the civil war combined with climate change impacts.

From Science Daily

While others in the field have attempted to break tire materials down using high heat, through a process known as pyrolysis, 6PPD is stubborn and the diketone molecules remain in the oil left behind.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• pursue
• seek
• solicit
• tackle
• undertake

More About Attempt

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.

Where does attempt come from?

The first records of the term attempt come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin attemptāre, meaning “to test or tamper with.” When you attempt something, you test your ability to do that thing.

Less commonly, an attempt is also an attack, especially an attack that is meant to kill. If someone makes an attempt on a leader’s life, for example, it means that someone tried to kill that leader. When a murder or other crime is tried but fails, we call that an attempted crime, such as attempted murder or attempted robbery, and the person who made the attempt may be found guilty of breaking the law.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to attempt?

• attemtability (noun)
• attemptable (adjective)
• attempter (noun)
• unattempted (adjective)

What are some synonyms for attempt?

• try
• bid
• endeavor
• seek
• undertake

What are some words that share a root or word element with attempt?

• tempt

What are some words that often get used in discussing attempt?

• argue
• persuade
• repair

How is attempt used in real life?

Attempt is another way to say “try.”

My attempt of expressing how thankful we are for you guys !

— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) July 23, 2015

the human just got home. and once they are settled. i will carefully attempt. to remove a sock from their foot. using the most delicate of nibbles. so they know i missed them

— Thoughts of Dog® (@dog_feelings) September 25, 2018

Tintin A & B will attempt to beam “hello world” in about 22 hours when they pass near LA

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2018

 

Try using attempt!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for attempt?

A. neglect
B. seek
C. try
D. undertake