An attempted crime or unlawful action is an unsuccessful effort to commit the crime or action.
...a case of attempted murder.
The attempted coup took place in January.
Synonyms: tried, ventured, undertaken, endeavoured More Synonyms of attempted
attempted in British English
(əˈtɛmptɪd)
adjective
used to describe an action that someone has unsuccessfully tried to carry out
The attempted coup took place in January.
attempted murder
He had been charged with attempted murder.
a case of attempted murder
attempted suicide
attempted theft
Examples of 'attempted' in a sentence
attempted
She admits unlawful wounding but denies attempted murder.
The Sun (2016)
He denies two charges of attempted murder and attempted arson.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was charged with attempted murder after attacking his brother and father and trying to kill himself a year earlier.
The Sun (2017)
Police said a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
The Sun (2017)
This meant that his trial for attempted murder was dealt with by the youth court system, which has lower penalties.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A Reading crown court jury found him guilty of attempted murder.
The Sun (2017)
Turkey is struggling to fill tens of thousands of vacancies in the army and police left by the government's purge after the attempted coup.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Senior shadow cabinet ministers warned that the attempted coup was doomed to failure.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She is aware that on a previous cup final day we did indeed witness an attempted murder.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The number of attempted thefts soared by more than a third.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She has been charged with attempted murder and is now in custody.
The Sun (2014)
He was held on suspicion of theft and attempted money laundering.
The Sun (2008)
Last month he was cleared of attempted murder but admitted grievous bodily harm.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He admitted attempted theft and will be sentenced next month.
The Sun (2009)
His body disappeared and she was charged with attempted murder.
The Sun (2015)
He denies four charges of murder and one of attempted murder.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But it also warns you of attempted thefts and can help track your cycle if it is stolen.
The Sun (2015)
He was convicted attempted murder and jailed for nine years 1998 with a recommendation for deportation.
The Sun (2006)
I know now that his attempted suicide was merely miscalculation.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
For any true Conservative to raise his hand against the leadership now would amount to complicity in the attempted suicide of the entire party.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The capital of Gambia was in lockdown last night after soldiers tried to storm the presidential palace in what appeared to be an attempted coup.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Investigators said initially they were treating the case as attempted murder, but now appear less certain that the unnamed woman will face criminal charges.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Nigeria international, who is on crutches because of damaged cartilage in his right knee, claimed that he and the friend were accused of attempted theft.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
attempted
British English: attempted ADJECTIVE
An attempted crime or unlawful action is an unsuccessful effort to commit the crime or action.