ATTEMPT Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'attempt' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of attempt are endeavor , essay , strive , and try . While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort. // will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Q: When is it sensible to use 'endeavor' instead of 'attempt'?

The words endeavor and attempt can be used in similar contexts, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty. // endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

Q: When could 'essay' be used to replace 'attempt'?

While in some cases nearly identical to attempt , essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting. // will essay a dramatic role for the first time

Q: When might 'strive' be a better fit than 'attempt'?

The meanings of strive and attempt largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort. // continues to strive for peace

Q: How do 'try' and 'attempt' relate to one another?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something. // tried to determine which was the better procedure

attempt 1 of 2

noun

Definition of attempt next

as in try

an effort to do or accomplish something it took several attempts before we made good ice cream with an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream freezer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence several attempts on the life of the country's chief drug enforcement official

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

attempt

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈtem(p)t

as in to try

to make an effort to do after attempting—and failing—to start the lawn mower on my own, I finally succeeded with a neighbor's help don't even attempt walking on your broken foot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attempt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of attempt are endeavor, essay, strive, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

When is it sensible to use endeavor instead of attempt?

The words endeavor and attempt can be used in similar contexts, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When could essay be used to replace attempt?

While in some cases nearly identical to attempt, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When might strive be a better fit than attempt?

The meanings of strive and attempt largely overlap; however, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

How do try and attempt relate to one another?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of attempt

Noun

His upcoming film Mickey 17 is already generating tons of buzz, and even though all of this is just an attempt to raise awareness of its upcoming release—stan Twitter can’t get enough of Rob’s commitment to the bit. —

Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 23 Jan. 2025 In the latest attempt to address a worsening youth mental health crisis, the New York City Council on Thursday passed a series of bills that would boost support for students in local public schools. —

Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

Ending birthright citizenship: Unpopular However, at least one of Trump's executive orders on immigration may not meet with such a warm reception from Americans: his order attempting to end birthright citizenship for people whose parents are in the U.S. illegally. —

Mary Radcliffe, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025 An attorney for defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth sent a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) on Wednesday, attempting to discredit new allegations detailed in an affidavit from Hegseth’s former sister-in-law. —

Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for attempt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt

Noun

But what makes our own effort worthy of admiration is not the perfection of the first try, but the effort of pushing into uncomfortable territory, and by trying over and over again, despite the stumble and failure!

— Nathan Furr, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Matt Painter has these guys playing slowly, down to 326th in shot tries.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025