attempt

[ uh-tempt ]

/ əˈtɛmpt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR attempt ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek: to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.

Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner: to attempt a person's life.

Archaic. to tempt.

noun

an effort made to accomplish something: He made an attempt to swim across the lake.

an attack or assault: an attempt upon the leader's life.

Nearby words

Origin of attempt

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French atempter < Latin attemptāre to test, tamper with. See at-, tempt

SYNONYMS FOR attempt

1. See try. 4. try, endeavor.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR attempt ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

at·tempt·a·bil·i·ty, nounat·tempt·a·ble, adjectiveat·tempt·er, nounqua·si-at·tempt, verb

re·at·tempt, verb (used with object)un·at·tempt·a·ble, adjectiveun·at·tempt·ed, adjectiveun·at·tempt·ing, adjectivewell-at·tempt·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for attempted

It was the year that Kim Kardashian attempted to break the Internet with hers.
Year of the Butt: How the Booty Changed the World in 2014|Kevin Fallon|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After he allegedly unloaded on the cops, Brinsley attempted to make a getaway to a nearby subway.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish|M.L. Nestel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are legitimate criticisms of the study, but not because it includes “attempted forced kissing,” as Lowry suggested.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Dec. 7|PunditFact.com|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
More importantly, the “one in five” number does not include “attempted” sexual assaults.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Dec. 7|PunditFact.com|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But privately, according to Trierweiler, Hollande slithered back and attempted to rekindle the mortally wounded relationship.
Hell Hath No Fury Like Valerie Trierweiler, the French President’s Ex|Lizzie Crocker|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The attempted suppression of his trade by the Egyptian Government drove him naturally into opposition.
The River War|Winston S. Churchill
Eagle-head saw that, unless he made a desperate effort, he would be lost, and he attempted it.
The Tiger-Slayer|Gustave Aimard
Nay,” as Kenyon attempted to speak again, “I cannot hear you further.
Zero the Slaver|Lawrence Fletcher
Kentucky attempted to remain neutral at the outbreak of the war.
Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies|Chas. G Mutzenberg
The majesty of the scene grew upon me as I gazed, and presently hand went to camera that some record of it might be attempted.
Ten Thousand Miles with a Dog Sled|Hudson Stuck

British Dictionary definitions for attempted

attempt

/ (əˈtɛmpt) /

verb (tr)

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

to try to surmount (an obstacle)

to try to climbthey will attempt the north wall of the Eiger

archaic to attack

archaic to tempt

noun

an endeavour to achieve something; effort

a result of an attempt or endeavour

an attack, esp with the intention to killan attempt on his life

Derived Formsattemptable, adjectiveattempter, noun

Word Origin for attempt

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

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)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for attempted

attempt

late 14c., from Old French attempter (14c.), earlier atenter "to try, attempt, test," from Latin attemptare "to try" (cf. Italian attentare, Old Provençal, Portuguese attentar, Spanish atentar), from ad- "to, upon" (see ad-) + temptare "to try" (see tempt). Related: Attempted; attempting.

attempt

1530s, from attempt (v.). Meaning "effort to accomplish something by violence" is from 1580s, especially as an assault on someone's life.

attempt

verb (used with object)

noun

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Origin of attempt

Examples from the Web for attempted

attempt

verb (tr)

noun

Word Origin for attempt

usage

attempt

attempt