attempt

American  

[uh-tempt] / əˈtɛmpt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

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

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

Saudi Arabia's defence ministry reported intercepting 15 drones, including an attempted attack in the diplomatic quarter of the capital Riyadh.

From Barron's

These incidents typically involve a single researcher attempting to advance their career by taking shortcuts in a highly competitive environment.

From Science Daily

Ten became embryos, but the first nine attempts didn't survive the transfer into Anita's womb.

From BBC

The Journal reviewed more than 100,000 posts from those accounts and identified 1,456 posts in which the government alleged an assault, impediment, attack or conspiracy or attempt to harm a federal officer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• attack
• bid
• endeavor
• experiment
• pursuit
• shot
• struggle
• try