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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.

Lauren was booked on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer and posted bail.

From

The de facto government of Sudan says it will contact Interpol and Unesco to attempt to recover artefacts looted from the National Museum and elsewhere.

From

Along the way, police attempted a PIT manuever to disable the truck and eventually boxed it in, with multiple flat tires, in front of the Studio City home.

From

Because viewers felt like Joe was attempting to change, they kept giving him chances.

From

The FBI has arrested a state circuit court judge in Wisconsin over her alleged obstruction of immigration agents' attempt to arrest someone scheduled to appear in her courtroom, Bureau Director Kash Patel announced Friday.

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