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

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

Example 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

Performers and musicians, like a tour of Hamilton, Barbara Streisand, the San Francisco Ballet, composer Phillip Glass, comedian Issa Rae, and more boycotted the venue and Trump’s attempts. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026 With a rise in anti-trans rhetoric from the White House, some Democrats are using similar messaging in an attempt to secure undecided voters. — Dorian Rhea Debussy, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

But like many people who often turn to humor in uncomfortable situations, Iain attempted to make a few jokes, while Holly Revord remained totally silent. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 Rather than point to the comments, however, Cruz blamed fans who attempted to force their way through the entrance of the stadium before the game. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attempt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt

Noun

Although other states have moved forward with attempting to execute inmates a second time, in those cases, the first try had been halted before any drug actually began flowing.

— Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
The Eagles failed to convert a single third down on 12 tries and have been outscored 31-0 in the second half of their last two games, both losses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of try

Noun

In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
An inmate died in an apparent homicide Tuesday morning after an attack by another prisoner at California State Prison, Sacramento, state corrections officials said.

— Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to the body and was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
But Carrie is Flanagan’s first stab at turning a King work into a TV series (as well as his first TV work under a new deal with Prime Video), and the result is cause for concern.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of stab

Noun

The University of Arizona has suspended activities at its fraternities following persistent reports of misconduct, including assault, hazing and drug and alcohol-related behavior, a university official said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Fleming was received from Los Angeles County in 2019 to serve a 42-year sentence for second-degree robbery and assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

— Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

When war breaks out, he is shaken from his sleep and runs for an air-raid shelter.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
When compared to Operation Free MacArthur Park's summer raids, Hochman said Skid Row covers a 50-city-block area, making the park's enforcement almost like a test run for Thursday's massive operation.

— Julie Sharp, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

Those are good defenses, but that stat is borderline offensive.

— Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Forces loyal to the UAE also appear to be taking part in the offensive, a sign of at least a partial thaw between the kingdom and the UAE.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

While Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia is planning to escalate with drone or rocket strikes on European allies supporting Ukraine, other countries have called for calm.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
East2West News agency reported Monday that three civilians — a 16-year-old boy and two women, ages 19 and 51 — were killed in a strike near a grocery store in the Kharkiv region.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of strike

Browse Nearby Words

attars

attempt

attempted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Attempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempt. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of attempt

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on attempt

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes