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attempt
[ uh-tempt ]
verb (used with object)
- to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek:
to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.
- Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner:
to attempt a person's life.
- Archaic. to tempt.
attempt
/ əˈtɛmpt /
verb
- to make an effort (to do something) or to achieve (something); try
- to try to surmount (an obstacle)
- to try to climb
they will attempt the north wall of the Eiger
- archaic.to attack
- archaic.to tempt
noun
- an endeavour to achieve something; effort
- a result of an attempt or endeavour
- an attack, esp with the intention to kill
an attempt on his life
Usage
Derived Forms
- atˈtempter, noun
- atˈtemptable, adjective
Other Words From
- at·tempta·bili·ty noun
- at·tempta·ble adjective
- at·tempter noun
- quasi-at·tempt verb
- reat·tempt verb (used with object)
- unat·tempta·ble adjective
- unat·tempted adjective
- unat·tempting adjective
- well-at·tempted adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of attempt1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
The move was widely seen as an attempt to prevent then-Edinburgh South West MP and frequent internal party critic Joanna Cherry from standing.
Hojgaard was forced to be aggressive in reply, but the Dane narrowly missed a birdie putt on the 18th - relieving the pressure on McIlroy who holed his own birdie attempt to seal the win.
In attempting to define the word on SNL, she cited an incident where US businesswoman Martha Stewart had mistakenly claimed a journalist who covered her legal proceedings was dead.
On another occasion she told a colleague to "kiss my white a**" – a comment she said she made as "banter" in an attempt to fit in after moving from a private hospital.
She and a colleague were responding to a report of criminal damage in Alston when the man they were attempting to arrest attacked them.
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More About Attempt
What 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 attemptāre, 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 … ?
What are some other forms related to attempt?
- attemtability (noun)
- attemptable (adjective)
- attempter (noun)
- unattempted (adjective)
What are some synonyms for attempt?
What are some words that share a root or word element with attempt?
What are some words that often get used in discussing attempt?
How is attempt used in real life?
Attempt is another way to say “try.”
My attempt of expressing how thankful we are for you guys !
— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) July 23, 2015
the human just got home. and once they are settled. i will carefully attempt. to remove a sock from their foot. using the most delicate of nibbles. so they know i missed them
— Thoughts of Dog® (@dog_feelings) September 25, 2018
Tintin A & B will attempt to beam “hello world” in about 22 hours when they pass near LA
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2018
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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