as in trying
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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Recent Examples of attempting
The Razorbacks are attempting to win a game in Oxford for the first time since 2017.
—
Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Julia Fonseca, a professor at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, cautioned against homebuyers attempting to predict the level of mortgage rates.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
And then attempting a final rally with under four minutes left, a flea-flicker to a wide-open receiver was dropped that would have narrowed the gap to a one-score game.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
Now, humanity stands at a pivotal juncture as the laborious, expensive and high-stakes process of attempting to convert such grand visions into reality is actually underway.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
After plenty of chatter, Thug is attempting to finally control his narrative and the reclamation of the Atlanta rapper is on.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Brazil convicted Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, for attempting a coup to hold onto power after losing elections in October 2022, and sentenced him to prison for 27 years and three months.
—Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Sheriff's officials said one victim was shot inside the school and the other was shot in the street behind Evergreen High while attempting to flee.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
First responders were attempting to break up the fight between Farthing and another man, Kevin Rushing, when Farthing allegedly kicked a deputy in the face.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Julia Fonseca, a professor at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, cautioned against homebuyers attempting to predict the level of mortgage rates.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
And then attempting a final rally with under four minutes left, a flea-flicker to a wide-open receiver was dropped that would have narrowed the gap to a one-score game.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
Now, humanity stands at a pivotal juncture as the laborious, expensive and high-stakes process of attempting to convert such grand visions into reality is actually underway.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
After plenty of chatter, Thug is attempting to finally control his narrative and the reclamation of the Atlanta rapper is on.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Brazil convicted Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, for attempting a coup to hold onto power after losing elections in October 2022, and sentenced him to prison for 27 years and three months.
—Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Sheriff's officials said one victim was shot inside the school and the other was shot in the street behind Evergreen High while attempting to flee.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
First responders were attempting to break up the fight between Farthing and another man, Kevin Rushing, when Farthing allegedly kicked a deputy in the face.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempting
Verb
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Every day brings a new word, and everyone around the world is trying to solve the same puzzle.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Young committed to trying to help the deployment strengthen the community without distracting from ongoing law enforcement efforts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The focus is on TV shows, movies and digital content that tell the personal stories of athletes, the emotional stakes of competition and striving for athletic excellence.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
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Chronic striving has its downsides, though.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempting. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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