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
Centering on the story of Ty (Mackie) and his sister Maxine (Bailey), a pair of coveted sneakers that get separated during a robbery attempt, the movie touches on themes of resilience and togetherness, elements that Lawrence says feeds into its family-friendly nature — and why his kids love it. Chris Barilla, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025 The current case, scheduled for trial next month, is the latest attempt by state prosecutors and officials to hold Knapp accountable for his behavior in the probate court. Luke Parker, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
Left unclear is whether Bukele will use the exclusive setting to attempt to request relief on Trump’s 10% across-the-board tariff, which could push up El Salvador’s historically low inflation rate, a data point Bukele has been trumpeting on social media. David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025 The new initiative comes as the Italian island attempts to curb overtourism by implementing a digital reservation system on various beaches. Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • Still, that doesn’t mean ice bathing isn’t worth a try—especially if there’s the chance of achieving age-defying results.
    Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Mahomes, 29, gave spring's hottest color a try while celebrating her friend Miranda Hogue's 30th birthday at the beach.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In March, two days of U.S. attacks killed more than 50 people, Houthi officials said.
    USA Today, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • After the attack, the juvenile creature was seen floating lifeless in the water, video footage shows.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • If a cell harbors many black morphogens, for example, and a neighboring cell harbors few of them, then the molecules strive to move such that they are distributed as evenly as possible.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The school could strive for excellence and integrity while doing fewer things.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The most serious stab wounds, authorities said, were in the woman’s right armpit and near her neck and shoulder.
    Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Citing a police affidavit, local KFOX 14 also reported that Victor Sr. was found with a slit throat, severe head injuries and several stab wounds in addition to being disemboweled.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The police, several older unhoused people explained to me, were making their lives increasingly difficult by staging regular raids.
    Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Critics say such raids sow fear in vulnerable communities.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The fastball, again on the outer half, flew by his barrel for strike one.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But soon all production activities stopped due to strikes from both the screenwriters’ and actors’ unions.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 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
  • Well, that portion of the proclamation has spurred quite an onslaught of chuckles and guffaws.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • For whatever reason, the default federal approach has been to assume that U.S. taxpayers should help pay for any efforts needed to slow the sewage onslaught from Tijuana.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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