attempt

[ uh-tempt ]

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.

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

/ 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

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

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 )

Derived Forms

• atˈtemptable, adjective
• atˈtempter, noun

Other Words From

• at·tempta·bili·ty noun
• at·tempta·ble adjective
• at·tempter noun
• quasi-at·tempt verb
• reat·tempt verb (used with object)
• unat·tempta·ble adjective
• unat·tempted adjective
• unat·tempting adjective
• well-at·tempted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attempt¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of attempt¹

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

Synonym Study

See try.

Example Sentences

The orange dot is part of a broader attempt by Apple to burnish its reputation as a privacy-conscious company, and to differentiate the iPhone from Android devices, where privacy controls are more loose.

From Fortune

Barr’s speech Wednesday, then, was an attempt to argue that all of these actions on his part were not only defensible, but good and necessary.

From Vox

First, a commanding officer must review and approve all search warrants before an officer seeks judicial approval for the warrant, in an attempt to calculate and assess risk.

From Vox

This is not an attempt to whitewash our waste, to bury the toll that humans are taking on the planet right now.

From Nautilus

He said the operation reflected an attempt by Turning Point Action to maintain its advocacy despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, which has curtailed many traditional political events.

From Washington Post

In its attempt to discredit the story, the JPO inadvertently confirmed that fact.

From The Daily Beast

The email appears to have been a relatively common attempt to gain personal information from a wide range of unwitting victims.

From The Daily Beast

The attempt to “breed back” the Auroch of Teutonic legend was of a piece with the Nazi obsession with racial purity and eugenics.

From The Daily Beast

Their first attempt to unseat the House speaker failed miserably, so why not try again?

From The Daily Beast

He was killed by his captors during the U.S. rescue attempt in Yemen in December.

From The Daily Beast

I do not know how things are in America but in England there has been a ridiculous attempt to suppress Bolshevik propaganda.

From Project Gutenberg

She began the study of drawing at the age of thirty, and her first attempt in oils was made seven years later.

From Project Gutenberg

This was somewhat tiresome; and, after a rather feeble attempt at a third laugh, Davy said, "I don't feel like it any more."

From Project Gutenberg

In cases in which no attempt is made to ignore the accusation, the small wits are wont to be busy discovering exculpations.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was a long time before he found any one who was willing to attempt to rearrange his scribbled thoughts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pursue
• seek
• solicit
• tackle
• undertake

More About Attempt

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.

Where does attempt come from?

The first records of the term attempt come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin attemptāre, meaning “to test or tamper with.” When you attempt something, you test your ability to do that thing.

Less commonly, an attempt is also an attack, especially an attack that is meant to kill. If someone makes an attempt on a leader’s life, for example, it means that someone tried to kill that leader. When a murder or other crime is tried but fails, we call that an attempted crime, such as attempted murder or attempted robbery, and the person who made the attempt may be found guilty of breaking the law.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to attempt?

• attemtability (noun)
• attemptable (adjective)
• attempter (noun)
• unattempted (adjective)

What are some synonyms for attempt?

• try
• bid
• endeavor
• seek
• undertake

What are some words that share a root or word element with attempt?

• tempt

What are some words that often get used in discussing attempt?

• argue
• persuade
• repair

How is attempt used in real life?

Attempt is another way to say “try.”

My attempt of expressing how thankful we are for you guys !

— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) July 23, 2015

the human just got home. and once they are settled. i will carefully attempt. to remove a sock from their foot. using the most delicate of nibbles. so they know i missed them

— Thoughts of Dog® (@dog_feelings) September 25, 2018

Tintin A & B will attempt to beam “hello world” in about 22 hours when they pass near LA

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2018

 

Try using attempt!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for attempt?

A. neglect
B. seek
C. try
D. undertake