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
Melissa Willets, Parents, 5 Feb. 2026
In this case, South Carolina’s Meechie Johnson burned the Texas defense with a career-high 35 points that included 10 free throws on 14 attempts from the line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
The White Lotus and Love At First Sight actress attempted a headstand much to the consternation of Sam Rockwell, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, and Asim Chaudhry and Gore Verbinski.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Noun
If by the time your child is of school age, your attempts at discipline haven't improved the behavior, or if your child is becoming disruptive in class, talk to a doctor.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 5 Feb. 2026
In this case, South Carolina’s Meechie Johnson burned the Texas defense with a career-high 35 points that included 10 free throws on 14 attempts from the line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Nor does Hemsworth’s character drop into some exotic locale and attempt to pull off a black-ops mission alongside a team of fellow mercenaries.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
The White Lotus and Love At First Sight actress attempted a headstand much to the consternation of Sam Rockwell, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, and Asim Chaudhry and Gore Verbinski.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt
Noun
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After the Anteaters shot 2 for 14 from long range in the first half, Hanson made a 3-pointer on UCI’s first attempt from deep in the second half, and Nahum drilled her first 3-point try after halftime to stretch the lead to 40-17.—
Dan Arritt,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
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On the flip side, longtime San Diegans know all too well that special teams failures harmed several Chargers teams in the playoffs — beginning with the franchise’s very first postseason game of the post-merger era, when a short field-goal try was blocked by the underdog Houston Oilers.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Because Lindsey Vonn’s comeback and crash accomplished the one goal that all sports strive to achieve.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
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Her two oldest boys will be big parts of the men’s team, striving for their first gold since 1980.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The woman suffered multiple stab wounds to her leg and survived.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
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And there was a s-- puncture, a stab wound here.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Both Beijing and Hong Kong’s government have repeatedly rejected international criticism of Lai’s prosecution and dismissed accusations that his jailing was politically motivated or an assault on press freedom.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Another 43,000 arrestees are listed as having assault charges or convictions.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Charges against 17 people arrested during demonstrations against Operation Midway Blitz immigration raids around Chicagoland last year have been dismissed as prosecutorial accusations have faded.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Fort Bragg is home to the Army's Special Operations Command and Delta Force, the elite special forces unit that reportedly executed the raid.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Anyone who finds that offensive is telling on themselves.—
Prince J. Grimes,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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Russia has been waging a sustained offensive against Ukraine's power grid through the winter.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the film industry ground to a halt during the pandemic and industry strikes.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Two people were killed, and ten people were injured in the strikes.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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