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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
However, at the reunion, the pair confirmed things ultimately didn't work out for them, despite several attempts at a romance.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Joanna Dee Das, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
More significantly, his latest actions attempt to cut off a series of alternative routes for Chinese goods to reach American store shelves and households.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
The Wild finally gained possession, worked it up the wall and Ryan Hartman’s low-speed attempt at an exit was picked off by Dobson and his shot was tipped past Filip Gustavsson by Casey Cizikas 36 seconds after Zuccarello’s goal.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
However, at the reunion, the pair confirmed things ultimately didn't work out for them, despite several attempts at a romance.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
An uncertain future The Kennedy Center staff has attempted to work within the constraints of a philanthropy model to reach a broad audience and challenge high/middle/low distinctions.
—Joanna Dee Das, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
More significantly, his latest actions attempt to cut off a series of alternative routes for Chinese goods to reach American store shelves and households.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
-
Priced at $1 a box, there’s no reason not to give it a try.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Severino was asked after the game about the torpedo bats, and didn’t take any issue with hitters giving them a try.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There has been a big labor split, however, with carpenters and laborers unions going heavily for Moreno — and waging tough attacks against Aguirre.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
-
On Friday, a Russian ballistic missile and drone attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih -- Zelenskyy's home town -- killed 19 people, including nine children.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Grand Slams have certainly increased their compensation as each strives to make their experience bigger and better.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Passionate about Jewish education and social justice, Olga strives to connect individuals and communities with opportunities to make a difference and support the sustainability of Jewish nonprofits.—
Olga & Igor Alterman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
An autopsy revealed that Marie Pheasant died of stab wounds to her neck and stomach, prosecutors said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Police found Hurd, 32, dead with multiple stab wounds in her townhome in Charlotte's upscale South Park neighborhood on July 14 of last year while responding to a call for medical assistance that afternoon.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The woman, who sued under a Jane Doe pseudonym, told jurors that Way allegedly first raped her in a bathroom during a police raid of his home in mid-February 2019.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2025
-
For now, the Trump administration is loosening rules on commanders conducting military raids and airstrikes, expanding the range of people and places that can be targeted.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Now throw in the witchery of artificial intelligence and satellites over every corner of Earth and cameras catching every spy’s wink and nod, and nothing is safe for coordinating a bombing strike except for the secure room with the clouded windows.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The most obvious was the details that Secretary of Defense Hegseth provided on the strike plans.—
Dakota Rudesill,
The Conversation,
29 Mar. 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
-
Trump’s onslaught of tariffs heralds a new industrial policy era in the U.S. where the government will intervene more in free markets, and companies will have less flexibility in their decision making.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Eight minutes of additional time permitted a late Brentford onslaught.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share