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

• attempter noun
• attemptable adjective
• attemptability 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

“If you look at it one way, you see a bullying attempt by the administration to impose its will,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Just as in the regular series, we find a bunch of people attempting to find out who is lying and who is telling the truth, while faced with the enormous uncertainty of being "killed" off.

Read more on BBC

Peru's former president Dina Boluarte-- who was removed from office by lawmakers and is facing multiple probes for corruption and abuse of power -- said Friday she would not attempt to seek asylum abroad.

Read more on Barron's

In a recent report, it attempted to map the industry’s circular financial relationships.

Read more on Barron's

When Little-Siebold brought some of that tree’s apples to display at Maine’s Common Ground Country Fair in September, he caught a visitor attempting a fruit heist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.