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
That credible worry for Black artists over theft of their work is one of the themes of Roston’s piece, as is the question of whether neurodivergent artists are well-served by medication or whether the establishment’s attempt at normalization, so to speak, destroys their essence and their art. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025 Despite rescue attempts by beachgoers, first responders were unable to save him. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 21 July 2025
Verb
After being notified by a Lowe’s employee, the man attempted to flee on foot, but he was quickly apprehended, police said. Lauren-Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Observer, 20 July 2025 Trump could attempt to reverse every bit of this destruction tomorrow and a lot of damage would still be unavoidable. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has announced his bid for Arizona's 2nd congressional district, making a second try at winning the seat.
    Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
  • The restaurant’s affordability, paired with the familiar fast-casual ordering concept, offers a low-stakes way for people who may not be familiar with Korean food to give it a try.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • If its conversion from a Type 003 attack submarine into a ballistic missile submarine proves to be successful, its initial operational debut could come within the next six to 12 months.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Even though her husband and her eldest son will one day be king, Princess Kate has strived to maintain a sense of normalcy at home.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • These dishes have to be perfect, even in their simplicity, and there’s something exciting about striving for that.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • In one of the documents, Moscow Police Department’s lead detective, Brett Payne, described walking through the crime scene and discovering the victims, each of whom had multiple stab wounds.
    Rebecca Boone, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • Akter died from the stab wounds to her neck at a local hospital.
    KC Baker, People.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • The details of a raid can be useful for the non-citzen’s legal case.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • The early morning police raid in a home near the Azalea Park neighborhood also turned up two handguns, ammunition, narcotics and more than $1,000 in cash.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • Israel’s parallel October strike on Iran succeeded in destroying Iran’s air defense architecture, leaving its nuclear facilities exposed.
    Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.
    Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.
    Reuters, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2023
Noun
  • An onslaught of aerial/high-rise scenes that even Pink would find excessive?
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 19 July 2025
  • Topline More than half of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of the federal government’s documents detailing its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new poll that comes as Trump is facing an onslaught of backlash from his base over the issue.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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