ATTEMPTED Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

attempted

verb

Definition of attempted

past tense of attempt

as in tried

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

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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 attempted The Esquire piece covers a Texas district attorney named Bill Conradt, who died by suicide in 2006 when Hansen and Dateline’s cameras, as well as law enforcement, attempted to apprehend him at his home as part of an operation covered by the program. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Carter faces attempted murder charges in which the two deputies and the PG&E worker are listed as victims injured in the shooting, according to the criminal complaint filed by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 In 2023, Romo was convicted of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy crimes and sentenced to life without parole. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 While Iran has attacked dozens of ships that attempted to travel the southern route, many ships have recently chosen to ignore Iran’s demands and cross the strait with the promise of protection from US naval forces. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 In 2005, a government committee attempted to relax the law so that the eldest child of an emperor, regardless of gender, could inherit the throne. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Medics attempted life-saving measures on the child, but were unsuccessful. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 The Tarrant County Community College District has owned the property since 2004 and attempted to sell it last year. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 If for some reason a franchise deliberately attempted to minimize the impact of an incredible group of skill players, the result would look a lot like the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles. — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempted

tried

Verb

Moczarski, who had once tried to assassinate Stroop, discovered that his cellmate was entirely unrepentant, and willing to discuss his crimes freely.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026
Because of a lack of variety in Halal restaurants, neither of the men had tried barbecue besides brisket before their trip.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tried

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attempt

attempted

attempting

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“Attempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempted. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of attempted

verb

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