attemptverb [ T ]
uk/əˈtempt/us/əˈtempt/B1 to try to do something, especially something difficult:
[ + to infinitive ] He attempted to escape through a window.
He attempted a joke, but no one laughed.
There's no point in even attempting an explanation - he'll never listen.
More examples
- Study the examples first of all, then attempt the exercises on the next page.
- "It would be stupid to attempt the journey in the dark." "Precisely, " he answered.
- The pilot attempted a crash-landing on the beach.
- The two explorers attempted an unaided walk across the South Pole.
- Make sure the rope is firmly attached before attempting to climb down it.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Trying and making an effort
- a blitz on sth idiom
- all-out
- assault
- attempted
- backwards
- bid
- crack
- go to great lengths idiom
- God helps those who help themselves idiom
- grasp at sth
- grope
- grope for sth
- push
- shoot
- stick
- stretch a/the point idiom
- strive
- strove
- succeed
- suck
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attemptnoun [ C ]
uk/əˈtempt/us/əˈtempt/B2 the act of trying to do something, especially something difficult:
[ + to infinitive ] She made a few half-hearted attempts to join in their conversation.
He made no attempt to be sociable.
This is my second attempt at the exam.
None of our attempts at contacting Dr James was successful.
They closed the road in an attempt (= to try to) to reduce traffic in the city.
an attempt on sb's life
an act of trying to kill someone:
This is the third attempt on the President's life.
More examples
- The government has launched a new road safety campaign in an attempt to reduce the number of road accidents.
- My second attempt at making flaky pastry was a bit more successful.
- They had to abandon their attempt to climb the mountain.
- They have begun to vaccinate children in an attempt to check the spread of the disease.
- The doctors made one last desperate attempt to save the boy's life.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Trying and making an effort
- a blitz on sth idiom
- all-out
- assault
- attempted
- backwards
- bid
- crack
- go to great lengths idiom
- God helps those who help themselves idiom
- grasp at sth
- grope
- grope for sth
- push
- shoot
- stick
- stretch a/the point idiom
- strive
- strove
- succeed
- suck
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Murder & attempted murder
an act of trying to score a goal in a game of football:
Chelsea had several attempts on goal in the first 15 minutes.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Football/soccer
- 18-yard box
- 2 3 5
- 4 3 2 1
- 4 4 2
- 4 5 1
- crossbar
- feint
- game 39
- game ball
- ghost goal
- give-and-go
- goal average
- relegation
- scissor kick
- scrimmage
- seal dribble
- shin guard
- shin pad
- shirt pad
- stoppage
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