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
Nonetheless, despite Israel’s attempt to promote such institutions, they were widely rejected. Literary Hub august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025 Meanwhile, the Falcons are going all-in on Michael Penix’s left arm in an attempt to close the gap, and maybe make a run at a division title. The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Two seasons ago, Hurts attempted a career-high 538 passes. Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025 The charge stemmed from Medrano attempting to shoot his girlfriend, who was carrying their 1-year-old child, prosecutors said in court filings. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
  • That is true, as PPF’s offer of around €7 ($8.16) a share back in May was considerably stronger than MFE’s first low-ball try.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Dolphins rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. helped force the first three-point try due to his blanket coverage of Jaguars’ Austin Trammell.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Blue Fire is the largest fire as of this report, estimated at about 20 acres by air attack.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • There is no indication of other suspects directly involved in carrying out this attack.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The brand name also serves as a reminder that our journeys are about striving toward something greater than ourselves, even in the face of challenges, according to Reddick.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025
  • But Ain’t in It for My Health strives to balance the upbeat with the contemplative.
    Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • They were found dead with several stab wounds at an off-campus home in Moscow in November 2022.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The cost cuts and tight inventory, which protect margins against having to discount merchandise Kohl’s doesn’t end up selling, are giving Kohl’s breathing room financially to take another stab at turning itself around.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Key Background In June, Trump took control of the California National Guard to respond to ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, quickly sending some 4,000 troops to the city.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Earlier in January, Homan was joined by the TV personality Dr. Phil in a blitz of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Peterson then fell behind on Jacob Young, the No. 9 hitter, going 2-0 before getting the center fielder to take a sinker for a strike, and swing through a changeup to go 2-2.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Due to two strikes that rocked the entertainment industry in 2023 as writers and performers demanded higher pay in the streaming TV era, both the 75th and 76th Primetime Emmy Awards took place in 2024.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Aug. 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
  • The Fed — and Powell in particular — has been subject to an unprecedented onslaught on attacks from the White House since Trump began his second term in January.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Ryan Stamm, George Webb vice president, said in Brookfield before the onslaught began.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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