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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attempt
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
Despite rescue attempts by beachgoers, first responders were unable to save him.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 21 July 2025
Lauren-Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Observer, 20 July 2025
Trump could attempt to reverse every bit of this destruction tomorrow and a lot of damage would still be unavoidable.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
That credible worry for Black artists over theft of their work is one of the themes of Roston’s piece, as is the question of whether neurodivergent artists are well-served by medication or whether the establishment’s attempt at normalization, so to speak, destroys their essence and their art.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
Despite rescue attempts by beachgoers, first responders were unable to save him.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 21 July 2025
Verb
After being notified by a Lowe’s employee, the man attempted to flee on foot, but he was quickly apprehended, police said.
—Lauren-Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Observer, 20 July 2025
Trump could attempt to reverse every bit of this destruction tomorrow and a lot of damage would still be unavoidable.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
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Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has announced his bid for Arizona's 2nd congressional district, making a second try at winning the seat.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
23 July 2025
-
However, after trying it at a camp, a coach encouraged me to give it a try.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 July 2025
Noun
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The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
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If its conversion from a Type 003 attack submarine into a ballistic missile submarine proves to be successful, its initial operational debut could come within the next six to 12 months.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Even though her husband and her eldest son will one day be king, Princess Kate has strived to maintain a sense of normalcy at home.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
22 July 2025
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These dishes have to be perfect, even in their simplicity, and there’s something exciting about striving for that.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
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In one of the documents, Moscow Police Department’s lead detective, Brett Payne, described walking through the crime scene and discovering the victims, each of whom had multiple stab wounds.—
Rebecca Boone,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
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Akter died from the stab wounds to her neck at a local hospital.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
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In July 2024, U.S. law enforcement conducted an on-site raid at Fuyao Glass America’s plant in Moraine as well as other locations in the area as part of an investigation into a third-party labor service company.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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In a news release, Abbott invoked President Donald Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid protests against workplace raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
What begins as a quiet rebellion erupts into a viral citywide strike, culminating in a daring heist.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
14 July 2025
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The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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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
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The new onslaught comes after a bit of a break from last week’s sweltering spate of weather, and Mayor Adams issued a new warning.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
28 July 2025
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That Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, not much more than an hour down the coastal highways, was still raging, the body count among Palestinians rising by the dozens nearly every day, seemed not to dampen the mood, either.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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