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.
Related Words
See try.
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
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
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.
"The observed pattern of strikes against anchored vessels, drifting ships, and assistance vessels indicates a campaign focused on creating operational uncertainty and deterring routine commercial movement rather than a sustained attempt to sink vessels."
From Barron's
The shift appears to some observers as an attempt to elevate his religious standing and present him as a credible leader.
From BBC
As Borthwick attempted to expand England's style, they went through a frustrating second half of 2024 with five successive and narrow defeats against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
From BBC
Declan Rice is defending zonally here but continually rotates his head in an attempt to predict who might target his zone.
From BBC
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that Tehran "will be forced to respond" if a neighbouring country were to be used as a launchpad for any attack or invasion attempt.
From Barron's
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.
