at·tempt
ə-ˈtem(p)t 
attempted; attempting; attempts
1
: to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect
He attempted to swim the swollen river.
2
archaic
: tempt
3
archaic
: to try to subdue or take by force : attack
1
a
: the act or an instance of trying to do or accomplish something : an act or instance of attempting something
She failed the test on her first attempt but passed on her second attempt.
They made an attempt [=tried] to be helpful.
often
: an unsuccessful effort
a suicide attempt
b
: something resulting from or representing an attempt
… surrounded by lemon trees and a few attempts at rose bushes.—
Marian Engel
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
Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Their scheme grew to involve more than 39 players on more than 17 different NCAA Division I men's basketball teams, who then rigged and attempted to rig more than 29 games, prosecutors said.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Jan. 2026
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2026
Ole Miss desperately moved down the field, but its final pass attempt was broken up in the end zone with Ethan O’Connor and Zechariah Poyser in coverage.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempt
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Verb
Before the attack that night in north London, Ramírez had never before fired a round in anger, let alone attempted to shoot someone dead at close range.
—Noun
Because the league’s attempts at poaching coaching talent are a sign of what’s gotten the 14-3 Broncos this far.
—Cite this Entry
“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attempt. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
attempt
1 of 2 verb
at·tempt
ə-ˈtem(p)t
1
: to try to do or perform
attempt an escape
2
: to make an effort : try
attempt to solve the problem
attempt
2 of 2 noun1
: the act or an instance of attempting
especially
: an unsuccessful effort
2
: attack entry 2 sense 1
an attempt on the president's life
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
