attempt
verb
\
Definition of attempt
(Entry 1 of 2)
attempt
nounDefinition of attempt (Entry 2 of 2)
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from attempt
Verb
\
adjective
Synonyms for attempt
Synonyms: Verb
assay, endeavor, essay, seek, strive, try
Synonyms: Noun
assay [archaic], bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of attempt in a Sentence
Verb
They've attempted a climb up Mount Everest once before. She attempted suicide early in their marriage.Noun
She failed her driving test on the first attempt but she succeeded on her second attempt. Her attempt at a home-cooked meal consisted of frozen fish sticks and a can of soup.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Residues of these substances still linger in the soil, posing a challenge to those now attempting to make a go of small farming on the island. — Wade Graham, Smithsonian, "Why Molokai, With All Its Wonders, Is the Least Developed of Hawai’i’s Islands," 31 Aug. 2019 What these numbers may or may not reflect is the recent turmoil brewing within groups of unionized workers fighting for better rights and non-unionized workers attempting to organize. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "64% of Americans support labor unions but membership is at a record low," 31 Aug. 2019 Combs was identified and pronounced dead on the scene after police received a call around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, reporting that a jet car attempting to break a land speed record crashed in the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon. — Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "Late Mythbusters Star Jessi Combs Almost Lost Her Life in Freak Accident 12 Years Ago," 29 Aug. 2019 On Thursday, lawyers in both Edinburgh and Belfast in Northern Ireland filed injunctions attempting to either block Johnson's suspension itself or his advice to the Queen, who is traditionally bound to follow the advice of the prime minister. — David Meyer, Fortune, "Boris Johnson’s Latest Ploy Prompts Political Chaos That’s Extreme Even By Brexit Standards," 29 Aug. 2019 Gonzalez was accused of taking petitions from the mayor’s place on the council dais and attempting to alter them. — Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, "Castle Hills council drama far from over as power struggle continues in San Antonio suburb," 28 Aug. 2019 Cellphone video showed a Riverside police officer attempting to arrest the suspect, who has not been identified. — CBS News, "Police used Taser on Ohio stabbing suspect before series of crashes that killed two children," 27 Aug. 2019 Defender Ali Krieger played the ball back to Harris, who attempted to take several touches through the box before passing up the field. — Julia Poe, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando Pride fall 2-1 to Washington Spirit in front of sold-out Audi Field crowd," 26 Aug. 2019 After Brown died, questions arose about multiple bigamy, DNA tests and a quarreling family attempting to resolve entitlement to an estate valued as high as $100 million. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Deaths in Entertainment Become Problems for the Federal Judiciary," 22 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Apopka blocked the extra point attempt and led 7-6 at half. — John Peery, orlandosentinel.com, "Apopka defeats Coral Gables to open Jeff Rolson regime," 31 Aug. 2019 Friday’s was the first crossing attempt in Ceuta in over a year. — Washington Post, "Over 150 migrants in Morocco climb fences to Spanish enclave," 30 Aug. 2019 Monroy again tried a sneak on the two-point conversion attempt, but was stopped inches short of the goal line. — Daily Pilot, "Costa Mesa football ends 16-game losing streak with win over Santiago," 30 Aug. 2019 The Associated Press noted that this was the third attempt by Iran to launch a rocket and said the first two, in January and February had failed. — CBS News, "Trump sparks confusion with tweet of apparent Iranian launch site," 30 Aug. 2019 The apparent attempt to launch the Nahid-1 comes after two failed satellite launches of the Payam and Doosti in January and February. — chicagotribune.com, "Iran planned a rocket launch against U.S. wishes. Satellite photos show it apparently didn’t go well.," 29 Aug. 2019 The apparent attempt to launch the Nahid-1 comes after two failed satellite launches of the Payam and Doosti in January and February. — Greg Norman | Fox News, Fox News, "Satellite images suggest Iranian rocket blew up on launch pad," 29 Aug. 2019 The Chargers are also likely to play offensive linemen Trent Scott and Forrest Lamp as the two attempt to gain as much experience as possible. — Los Angeles Times, "Emeke Egbule is among Chargers fighting for roster spot in preseason finale at 49ers," 28 Aug. 2019 No Brexit The attempt to shut down parliament has already prompted a challenge in the Scottish courts, and others that could lead to cancelling Brexit might follow. — Adam Rasmi, Quartz, "Boris Johnson has asked the Queen to suspend UK parliament," 28 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attempt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more