attempt

verb
/əˈtɛmpt/

To make a substantial but unsuccessful effort (to commit a crime).

Other meanings

To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt.
To try to win, subdue, or overcome.

Synonyms

take a stab at
take a run at
essay
seek
try

Related words

unattempting
attemptability
attemptable
attempter
attemptive
reattempt
apetempt
unattempted

Example sentences

“This is an attempt to collect a debt.”
Tatoeba · Miktsoanit · CC0
“History is a story that attempts to be true.”
Tatoeba · shekitten · CC0

Word history

From Latin "attemptō" (to try, solicit).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “attempt” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.