attempt

at·tempt (

-t

mpt

)

tr.v. at·tempt·ed, at·tempt·ing, at·tempts

1. To try to perform, make, or achieve: attempted to read the novel in one sitting; attempted a difficult dive.

2. Archaic To tempt.

3. Archaic To attack with the intention of subduing.

1. An effort or a try.

2. An attack; an assault: an attempt on someone's life.

[Middle English attempten, from Old French attempter, from Latin attemptre : ad-, ad- + temptre, to test.]

at·tempta·ble adj.

at·tempter n.

attempt

Verb

to make an effort (to do or achieve something); try

Noun

1. an endeavour to achieve something; effort

2. attempt on someone's life an attack on someone with the intention to kill [Latin attemptare]

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).

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	attempt - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try" effort, try, endeavor, endeavour batting - (baseball) the batter's attempt to get on base best - the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best" worst - the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of; "it was the worst he had ever done on a test" activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" bid, play - an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention" fling, go, offer, whirl, crack, pass - a usually brief attempt; "he took a crack at it"; "I gave it a whirl" essay - a tentative attempt foray - an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence); "scientists' forays into politics" contribution, share, part - the part played by a person in bringing about a result; "I am proud of my contribution in advancing the project"; "they all did their share of the work" liberation - the attempt to achieve equal rights or status; "she worked for women's liberation" mug's game - a futile or unprofitable endeavor power play, squeeze play, squeeze - an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power; "she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away" seeking - an attempt to acquire or gain something stab, shot - informal words for any attempt or effort; "he gave it his best shot"; "he took a stab at forecasting" shot - an attempt to score in a game nisus, pains, striving, strain - an effortful attempt to attain a goal struggle, battle - an energetic attempt to achieve something; "getting through the crowd was a real struggle"; "he fought a battle for recognition" takeover attempt - an attempt to take control of a corporation trial, run, test - the act of testing something; "in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately"; "he called each flip of the coin a new trial" trial, test - the act of undergoing testing; "he survived the great test of battle"; "candidates must compete in a trial of skill"
	2.	attempt - the act of attacking; "attacks on women increased last year"; "they made an attempt on his life" attack crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offense, offence - (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act; "a long record of crimes" assault - a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
Verb	1.	attempt - make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world" essay, try, assay, seek pick up the gauntlet, take a dare - be dared to do something and attempt it act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel" struggle, fight - make a strenuous or labored effort; "She struggled for years to survive without welfare"; "He fought for breath" have a go, give it a try - make an attempt at something; "I never sat on a horse before but I'll give it a go" grope - search blindly or uncertainly; "His mind groped to make the connection" endeavor, endeavour, strive - attempt by employing effort; "we endeavor to make our customers happy" give it a try, give it a whirl - try; "let's give it a whirl!" adventure, gamble, run a risk, take a chance, take chances, risk, chance, hazard - take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome; "When you buy these stocks you are gambling" lay on the line, put on the line, risk - expose to a chance of loss or damage; "We risked losing a lot of money in this venture"; "Why risk your life?"; "She laid her job on the line when she told the boss that he was wrong"
	2.	attempt - enter upon an activity or enterprise undertake, set about initiate, pioneer - take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants"

attempt

verb 1. try, seek, aim, struggle, tackle, take on, experiment, venture, undertake, essay, strive, endeavour, have a go at (informal) make an effort, make an attempt, have a crack at, have a shot at (informal) try your hand at, do your best to, jump through hoops (informal) have a stab at (informal) take the bit between your teeth