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

In 2024 he was elected to Parliament at his eighth attempt, representing the strongly Brexit-backing town of Clacton in eastern England. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities with long-range drones almost daily in recent months in an attempt to reduce Russian oil refining capacity to put further pressure on the country's fuel supply and economy. — CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Before attempting a reconciliation with an estranged parent or adult child, Blake said the first priority should be stabilizing oneself. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The principal owner of the towers is attempting to sell condos in the western tower. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attempt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempt

Noun

After six tries, the 45-year-old right-hander got his 246th victory and finally broke the tie with Nicaragua’s Dennis Martinez.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
The third try, using the Long March 10B, took place on July 10.

— Andrew Jones, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of try

Noun

Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
While mass shootings are still rare in Thailand, the country has seen an uptick in high-profile attacks in recent years.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

First Tee is a youth development organization that strives to building strength of character in kids using the game of golf.

— Zach Schenfisch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The proposal to redevelop Corporate Woods comes at a time when the city strives to transform the area into a more walkable and vibrant space for residents, workers and visitors.

— Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of strive

Noun

Officers arrived to find a man with apparent stab wounds on the ground in front of a residence.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
Rebecca Marodi’s mother, Lorena Marodi, found her daughter with multiple stab wounds and called for help, according to the sheriff’s office.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of stab

Noun

The protests were met by a brutal government crackdown and spiraled into a 14-year civil war that ended with Assad’s ouster in a lightning rebel offensive.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Former Kansas football offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji, a first-team all-Big 12 selection in 2019 and starter on the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2022 AFC championship team, has apparently decided to retire from the NFL at the age of 28.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

He also, unfortunately, ceded possession to PSG’s counter-press, contributing to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s thunderous strike taking the lead.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Rengifo came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning after Tatis challenged a strike call that was overturned for a walk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of strike

Browse Nearby Words

attars

attempt

attempted

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

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Synonyms of attempt

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verb

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