attempt

[ uh-tempt ]

/ əˈtɛmpt /

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See synonyms for: attempt / attempted / attempting / attempts 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR attempt

4 try, endeavor.

See synonyms for attempt on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of attempt

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Anglo-French atempter from Latin attemptāre “to test, tamper with.” See at-, tempt

synonym study for attempt

1. See try.

OTHER WORDS FROM attempt

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. 2022

How to use attempt in a sentence

Lowe’s is making its biggest play yet for holiday season sales this year by adding fun to its assortment in an attempt to get beyond things like drywall and power tools.
How Lowe’s and Home Depot plan to keep growing even after the COVID home improvement boom|Phil Wahba|November 20, 2020|Fortune
It’s an attempt, then, to gauge how quickly a virus is spreading.
How bad is your state’s Covid-19 outbreak?|German Lopez|November 11, 2020|Vox
An attempt was made to enter a residence by opening a window.
Alexandria and Arlington crime watch||November 11, 2020|Washington Post
In October 2019, for example, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to freeze the sheriff’s spending, in an attempt to pressure Sheriff Alex Villanueva into dealing with the department’s budget issues.
New County Board and Sheriff Could Be Headed for a Standoff|Maya Srikrishnan|November 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego

They couldn’t capitalize on the second chance given to them when the Jets were penalized for having too many men on the field when the Patriots lined up for an earlier field goal attempt.
The Patriots’ season isn’t fixed, but at least they avoided losing to the Jets|Mark Maske|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
Why would “they” want to crush him just for attempting to buy something twenty years ago?
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Congress is attempting to pass the buck on federal funding for education.
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future|Jonah Edelman|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
However, it appears it is this very open nature that the Lizard Squad is attempting to exploit.
The Attack on the Hidden Internet|Marc Rogers|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But we were attempting a deliberate naiveté, a decision to approach these books as if they might have something to teach us.
American Democracy Under Threat for 250 Years|Jedediah Purdy|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite at least nine other states attempting similar legislation, there has been no further success.
China’s Electroshock Gay-Conversion Case|Nina Strochlic|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Answered Elizabeth, hardly attempting to conceal her scornful doubt of his sincerity.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
And Mrs. Haggard, after attempting to soothe the wounded feelings of her maid, directed her to accompany them.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Hence it is generally remarked that the English of almost any class show to least advantage when attempting to enjoy themselves.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Bruce probably kept him under observation, retiring before him beyond the Forth, and not attempting to bar his progress to Perth.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
In attempting to break the aqueduct of Chapoltepec to cut off the water from the city, a powerful resistance was made.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for attempt

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 forms of attempt

attemptable, adjectiveattempter, noun

Word Origin for attempt

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

usage for attempt

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

attempt

OTHER WORDS FOR attempt

Origin of attempt

synonym study for attempt

OTHER WORDS FROM attempt

Words related to attempt

How to use attempt in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for attempt

Derived forms of attempt

Word Origin for attempt

usage for attempt