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 )

Other Word Forms

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

Any attempt to do so in Comey’s case could face complications, former prosecutors and other legal experts said, because the five-year statute of limitations has now passed on the statement to Congress at issue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One hatchling overturned more than 20 times during a single attempt.

Read more on Science Daily

The payment of ransoms has been outlawed in an attempt to cut the supply of money to the criminal gangs, but to little effect.

Read more on BBC

Then the fun began — dunks, shot attempts from well beyond NBA three-point range and fans begging for autographs from teenagers at a public school.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In 1965, he relocated to London to work with Island Records - later the home of Bob Marley - but the label's attempts to make his sound palatable to rock audiences weren't entirely successful at first.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.