attempt
verb (used with object)
to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek.
attempted
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past participleof attempt.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof attempt.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
attemptverb (used with object)to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek.
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.
Khalil, who is still fighting the government’s efforts to deport him from the U.S., said the university’s failure to keep him safe from such harassment “directly led” to his March 2025 arrest and attempted deportation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
German submarines attempted to approach British vessels unseen and destroy them.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
Both candidates have attempted to lean away from partisan narratives.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
Anthropic, the AI tech company behind Claude, released a report Thursday detailing how bad actors have attempted to use its products for nefarious ends, from scams and mass surveillance to biological weapons development.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
Dassies snarled at anything that attempted to invade their rocky hideouts.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
