English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition attempt in British English

attempt noun

[countable] noun
/əˈtempt/

▪ abortive, botched, desperate, doomed, failed, feeble, fruitless, futile, half-hearted, unsuccessful, vain

1

an effort to do something

Example

one last desperate attempt

Example

The government has made no attempt to avert the crisis.

Example

an attempt on the world record

Example

It's his fourth attempt at flying a balloon around the world solo.

Example

Their spokesperson has rejected all our attempts to talk to him.

Synonyms and related words
2

an illegal act, such as an attack on someone, that is unsuccessful

Example

a burglary/robbery/escape/kidnap attempt

Example

an assassination/murder/suicide attempt

Example

an unsuccessful attempt on the President's life

Synonyms and related words
Definition attempt in British English