attempt

/əˈtɛm(p)t/

/əˈtɛmpt/

Other forms: attempted; attempts; attempting

To attempt is to make an effort. You may attempt to read a book, but if you fail, no harm. If you attempt to jump from one building to the next and fail . . . . Ouch.

The word attempt can also be used as a noun. It's an honest effort to do something. Your attempt to bake a birthday cake may look like a disaster, but the birthday boy will appreciate the effort anyway. The noun attempt can also mean an attack on a person or place, but in this case, it's best to hope that the attempt is not on your life. And never, ever attempt that sort of thing at home!

Definitions of attempt

1. verb

   make an effort or attempt
   “The police attempted to stop the thief”

   synonyms: assay, essay, seek, try

   types:

   pick up the gauntlet, take a dare

   be dared to do something and attempt it

   fight, struggle

   make a strenuous or labored effort

   give it a try, have a go

   make an attempt at something

   grope

   search blindly or uncertainly

   endeavor, endeavour, strive

   attempt by employing effort

   give it a try, give it a whirl

   try

   adventure, chance, gamble, hazard, risk, run a risk, take a chance, take chances

   take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

   lay on the line, put on the line, risk

   expose to a chance of loss or damage

   strive, struggle

   exert strenuous effort against opposition

   drive, labor, labour, push, tug

   strive and make an effort to reach a goal

   flounder

   behave awkwardly; have difficulties

   be at pains, take pains

   try very hard to do something

   buck

   to strive with determination

   go for broke

   risk everything in one big effort

   luck it, luck through

   act by relying on one's luck

   adventure, hazard, jeopardize, stake, venture

   put at risk

   bell the cat

   take a risk; perform a daring act

   type of:

   act, move

   perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
2. verb

   enter upon an activity or enterprise
   synonyms: set about, undertake

   type of:

   initiate, pioneer

   take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
3. noun

   earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
   synonyms: effort, endeavor, endeavour, try

   types:

   batting

   (baseball) the batter's attempt to get on base

   best

   the supreme effort one can make

   worst

   the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of

   bid, play

   an attempt to get something

   crack, fling, go, offer, pass, whirl

   a usually brief attempt

   essay

   a tentative attempt

   foray

   an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence)

   contribution, part, share

   the part played by a person in bringing about a result

   liberation

   the attempt to achieve equal rights or status

   mug's game

   a futile or unprofitable endeavor

   power play, squeeze, squeeze play

   an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power

   seeking

   an attempt to acquire or gain something

   shot, stab

   informal words for any attempt or effort

   shot

   an attempt to score in a game

   nisus, pains, strain, striving

   an effortful attempt to attain a goal

   battle, struggle

   an energetic attempt to achieve something

   takeover attempt

   an attempt to take control of a corporation

   run, test, trial

   the act of testing something

   test, trial

   the act of undergoing testing

   basketball shot

   throwing the basketball toward the hoop

   bear hug

   a takeover bid so attractive that the directors of the target company must approve it or risk shareholder protest

   proxy fight

   a measure used by an acquirer to gain control of a takeover target; acquirer tries to persuade other shareholders that the management of the target should be replaced

   end

   the part you are expected to play

   duel

   any struggle between two skillful opponents (individuals or groups)

   scramble, scuffle

   an unceremonious and disorganized struggle

   assay

   a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc.

   clinical test, clinical trial

   a rigorously controlled test of a new drug or a new invasive medical device on human subjects; in the United States it is conducted under the direction of the FDA before being made available for general clinical use

   double blind

   a test procedure in which the identity of those receiving the intervention is concealed from both the administrators and the subjects until after the test is completed; designed to reduce or eliminate bias in the results

   preclinical phase, preclinical test, preclinical trial

   a laboratory test of a new drug or a new invasive medical device on animal subjects; conducted to gather evidence justifying a clinical trial

   audition, tryout

   a test of the suitability of a performer

   field trial

   a test of young hunting dogs to determine their skill in pointing and retrieving

   fitting, try-on, trying on

   putting clothes on to see whether they fit

   MOT, MOT test, Ministry of Transportation test

   a compulsory annual test of older motor vehicles for safety and exhaust fumes

   pilot program, pilot project

   activity planned as a test or trial

   jehad, jihad

   a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal

   slapshot

   a fast shot made with a short powerful swing of the hockey stick

   headshot

   an attempt to put the soccer ball into the net by using the head

   Snellen test

   a test of visual acuity using a Snellen chart

   joust, tilt

   a combat between two mounted knights tilting against each other with blunted lances

   type of:

   activity

   any specific behavior
4. noun

   the act of attacking
   “they made an attempt on his life”

   synonyms: attack

   types:

   assault

   a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped

   aggravated assault

   a reckless attack with intent to injure seriously (as with a deadly weapon)

   assault and battery, battery

   an assault in which the assailant makes physical contact

   mugging

   assault with intent to rob

   type of:

   crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offence, offense

   (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act