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View synonyms for

attempt

[ uh-tempt ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek:

    to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.

  2. Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner:

    to attempt a person's life.

  3. Archaic. to tempt.


noun

  1. an effort made to accomplish something:

    He made an attempt to swim across the lake.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. an attack or assault:

    an attempt upon the leader's life.

attempt

/ əˈɛ /

verb

  1. to make an effort (to do something) or to achieve (something); try
  2. to try to surmount (an obstacle)
  3. to try to climb

    they will attempt the north wall of the Eiger

  4. archaic.
    to attack
  5. archaic.
    to tempt
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an endeavour to achieve something; effort
  2. a result of an attempt or endeavour
  3. an attack, esp with the intention to kill

    an attempt on his life

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

Attempt should not be used in the passive when followed by an infinitive: attempts were made to find a solution (not a solution was attempted to be found )
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٱ𳾱ٱ, noun
  • ˈٱ𳾱ٲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ٱ𳾱a·i·ٲ noun
  • ·ٱ𳾱a· adjective
  • ·ٱ𳾱İ noun
  • ܲȴ-·ٱ𳾱 verb
  • a·ٱ𳾱 verb (used with object)
  • un·ٱ𳾱a· adjective
  • ܲa·ٱ𳾱Ļ adjective
  • ܲa·ٱ𳾱iԲ adjective
  • ɱ-·ٱ𳾱Ļ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of attempt1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Anglo-French atempter from Latin ٳٱ𳾱 “to test, tamper with.” See at-, tempt
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Word History and Origins

Origin of attempt1

C14: from Old French attempter, from Latin ٳٱ𳾱 to strive after, from ٱԳ to try
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Synonym Study

See try.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She is charged with the murder of three relatives and the attempted murder of another, with the case centring on a beef wellington lunch at her house in July 2023.

From

His updated lawsuit attempted to steer the case away from 1st Amendment issues and instead claim “60 Minutes” was a fraudulent product that harmed viewers in Texas.

From

Santa Ana police said, some protesters threw objects at the second house and attempted to break down a fence.

From

Georgescu is now banned from running, and was detained, facing a criminal investigation including attempting to overthrow constitutional order.

From

But putting off efforts to prepare the UK for the changing climate in an attempt to save cash would be "a huge mistake" and could increase economic damage in the long run, Baroness Brown said.

From

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Related Words

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More About Attempt

does attempt mean?

An attempt is an effort made to complete a task, as in My attempt to go to the concert failed when my car broke down.

To attempt means to try to complete a task, as in When Riddhi attempted to run to better her health, she found that she really enjoyed it too.

When you attempt something, you are making some kind of effort, whether or not you succeed. To attempt is to try.

Example: Louise attempted to make bread, but she forgot to add yeast to the recipe.

Where does attempt come from?

The first records of the term attempt come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin ٳٱ𳾱, meaning “to test or tamper with.” When you attempt something, you test your ability to do that thing.

Less commonly, an attempt is also an attack, especially an attack that is meant to kill. If someone makes an attempt on a leader’s life, for example, it means that someone tried to kill that leader. When a murder or other crime is tried but fails, we call that an attempted crime, such as attempted murder or attempted robbery, and the person who made the attempt may be found guilty of breaking the law.

Did you know … ?

are some other forms related to attempt?

  • attemtability (noun)
  • attemptable (adjective)
  • attempter (noun)
  • unattempted (adjective)

are some synonyms for attempt?

are some words that share a root or word element with attempt?

are some words that often get used in discussing attempt?

How is attempt used in real life?

Attempt is another way to say “try.”

Try using attempt!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for attempt?

A. neglect
B. seek
C. try
D. undertake

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attemperAttenborough