1
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
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2
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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attempt
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
As an attempt to derive meaning from a meaningless phrase —which was, after all, the user's request—that's not half bad.
—ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025
PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
As usual, Ellie attempts to mask her feelings with sarcasm, but this doesn’t really work with Gail (who’s skilled at doing the same).
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
Additionally, a new study by the Trevor Project found that suicide attempts went up by more than seventy per cent in states where anti-trans bills were passed.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
As an attempt to derive meaning from a meaningless phrase —which was, after all, the user's request—that's not half bad.
—ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Tap the Neighbors tab to view pictures and video of events in your neighborhood such as porch thefts, attempted break-ins, and acts of vandalism.
—PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
As usual, Ellie attempts to mask her feelings with sarcasm, but this doesn’t really work with Gail (who’s skilled at doing the same).
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
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On the fourth try, the bird may have found something.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
25 Apr. 2025
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After poor weather forced ULA to scrub a launch attempt on April 9, the company will have to wait nearly three weeks for another try to launch an Atlas V rocket with Amazon's first full-up load of 27 Kuiper broadband satellites, Ars reports.—
Abigail Bassett,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Whitmer wages charm offensive against Trump as other Dems attack As much as Trump enjoys skewering his rivals, the president has lauded Whitmer on multiple occasions since returning to power.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Buried in Trump’s barrage of attacks on immigrants and their loved ones is the alarming practice of family detention in Texas.—
Dolores K. Schroeder,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Growing Global Demand For Automation Companies from different industries are striving to increase efficiency, reduce costs and solve the problem of labor shortages.—
Anton Alikov,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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There is something about the energy, the belief and people striving to achieve the same thing — things happen.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After another short-handed rush led by Eichel on the Wild’s second stab at a five-forward look, the coaches swapped Spurgeon for Hartman on the top unit for good.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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While speculation about a potential Desperate Housewives follow-up — revival, reboot, sequel, spinoff or other offshoot — has been rampant for more than a decade, this marks the first real stab at expanding the franchise.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The daily remote raid limit is also being increased from five to 10, and a new bundle for Remote Raid Passes has been added to the Pokémon Go web store, which includes two Remote Raid Passes for $2.99.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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The New Mexico Avenue location of Chef Geoff’s — one of two D.C. restaurants owned and operated by O’Donnell’s husband, Geoff Tracy — was subject to a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the morning of Tuesday, May 6.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Sunday’s strike marks the third consecutive day of missile launches from Yemen toward Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces.—
Tamar Michaelis,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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That composure led to him landing a knee in the third round after a scramble to get off the mat and setting up the ground strikes that finished the fight at the 3:43 mark of Round 3.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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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
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The onslaught has been so extensive that the United States now has its highest average tariff rate in over a century − and more seem on the way.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
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When two of the men turn and run, Tommy’s left with one other man to defend against the onslaught as the people on the rooftops fire into the street and the non-combatants cower inside.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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