attempt 1 of 2

attempt

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verb

as in to try
to make an effort to do after attempting—and failing—to start the lawn mower on my own, I finally succeeded with a neighbor's help don't even attempt walking on your broken foot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attempt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of attempt are endeavor, essay, strive, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

When is it sensible to use endeavor instead of attempt?

The words endeavor and attempt can be used in similar contexts, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When could essay be used to replace attempt?

While in some cases nearly identical to attempt, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When might strive be a better fit than attempt?

The meanings of strive and attempt largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

How do try and attempt relate to one another?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attempt
Noun
McAtamney’s lack of field goal range also played a part in this game because the Giants passed up attempts. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025 What truly hampers Regretting You is its inescapable unoriginality, its plodding, uninventive, unthoughtful attempts at swoon and heartbreak. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
In January 1919, disillusioned communists attempted their own violent revolution, today known as the Spartacist Uprising. Time, 23 Oct. 2025 Kylie asked before Bennett attempted a double blink. Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • That could help with a key goal of the new transit line — persuading people who commute by car to give a more comfortable bus experience a try.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The two-point try was unsuccessful, but at 17-12, the game was within reach if Houston could figure something out on defense.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Federico Gatti was also excellent in thwarting Madrid’s attacks.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The attack has spurred allegations of a hate crime against the girl, who is Yemeni and Muslim.
    Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sweet Vincent, written and directed by Ciara Boniface, centers a professional jazz musician reconciling with an old flame during a pivotal performance, both haunted by grief and striving for connection.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The communique said Beijing will strive to improve people’s welfare and the social security system, but did not provide details on how Beijing intends to achieve that or where the funds would come from.
    Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The shop has been restoring and refining shorter wheelbase G-Wagens for years now, with the LWB Cabrio being its first stab at a longer one.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The case went cold for over two decades before Detective Tara Augustin and Detective Alyson Dupouy took a stab at cracking it.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There’s a lot of fear in the air – fear of speaking out, fear of being swept up in ICE raids, etc.
    Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Thieves last week targeted the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery in a brazen daylight raid, fleeing with jewelry worth tens of millions in a matter of minutes.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The contracts are a significant step in broadening the hypersonic weapon options for the Pentagon which seeks to field more affordable strike capabilities, reported The Jerusalem Post.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Two high-rise residential buildings were hit in the strikes, the mayor of Ukraine’s capital, Vitali Klitschko, said according to Reuters, including the second and third floors of a nine-story building in the Desnianskyi district.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Other times, the mob leaned on more traditional crime tactics — robbery, extortion and assault, including a punch to one victim’s face — to force the card players to pay.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • He was sentenced to 17 years for armed kidnapping and 17 years for armed burglary with assault or battery.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The play was blown up, coming nowhere close to first down yardage, and the onslaught began.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
  • For years local and federal investigators were stumped by who had sent the letters and were unable to prevent the onslaught of threats for more than a decade.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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