Attempt Definition

ə-tĕmpt

attempted, attempting, attempts

verb

attempted, attempting, attempts

To try to perform, make, or achieve.

Attempted to read the novel in one sitting; attempted a difficult dive.

American Heritage

To make an effort to do, get, have, etc.; try; endeavor.

Webster's New World

To tempt.

Webster's New World

To try to seize or get control of by attacking.

American Heritage

Attempt is defined as to make an effort to do something.

An example of attempt is to try to complete a large jigsaw puzzle in one sitting.

YourDictionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
be lazy

noun

attempts

An effort or a try.

American Heritage

A try.

Webster's New World

An attack; an assault.

An attempt on someone's life.

American Heritage

An attack, as on a person's life.

Webster's New World

The intentional and overt taking of a substantial step toward the commission of a crime that falls short of completing the crime. The mere planning of a crime, as well as soliciting another to commit the crime, does not constitute an attempt to commit the crime. Attempt is a crime distinct from the offense that the criminal was attempting to commit. Various legal tests are used to determine when, between planning a crime and committing it, a person’s actions constitute an attempt. See also conspiracy and solicitation.

Webster's New World Law

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

idiom

attempt the life of

to try to kill

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Attempt

Noun

Singular:

attempt

Plural:

attempts

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Attempt

attempt the life of

Origin of Attempt

Late 14th century, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“I try, solicit”), from ad (“to”) + temptare, more correctly tentare (“to try”); see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580.

From Wiktionary
Middle English attempten from Old French attempter from Latin attemptāre ad- ad- temptāre to test

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition