ATTEMPT Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

attempt 1 of 2

noun

Definition of attempt next

as in try

an effort to do or accomplish something it took several attempts before we made good ice cream with an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream freezer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence several attempts on the life of the country's chief drug enforcement official

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

attempt

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈtem(p)t

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

The day the lawsuit was refiled, Jay-Z’s management company, Roc Nation, posted a lengthy statement on X casting doubt on the claims and alleging that Buzbee sent his lawyer a blackmail attempt. —

Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2025 An attempt to switch the colors was dropped by then-President Joe Biden after a study concluded that doing so would require additional testing and cause further delays, adding to the cost. —

CBS News, 15 Feb. 2025

Verb

That same day, an employee at a metal recycling business in Saint Paul contacted police to report that the suspect had attempted to sell the statue, which had been cut up into pieces, according to the probable cause statement in the complaint. —

Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025 That series, while incredibly flawed, at least attempted to upend the iconography of his predecessor: Chris Evans’s picture-perfect, towheaded Cap. —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for attempt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt

Noun

McClung didn’t disappoint on his next try despite having already clinched a spot in the final.

— Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
How to Play 'Connections' In Connections, players are faced with the challenge of separating 16 words into four categories based on a common thread in four tries or fewer.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025