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 They are not intended to represent normal use and should not be attempted or replicated. — New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Robinson’s lawyers have attempted to undermine several of the exhibits offered by the prosecution, including questioning the accuracy of DNA and its ability to link suspects to crime weapons, which could be a key part of their argument in the trial. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026 For example, Oklahoma State famously attempted it with its ridiculously large scoreboard against Texas back in 2020. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 By learning of the existence of an advanced ape race, have the humans doomed themselves to the fate Cornelius and Zira attempted to avoid? — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 Nevada Department of Fish and Wildlife Spokesperson Kenzie Margiott told The Bee that authorities attempted to trap the river otter in Hidden Beach on Sunday afternoon but were unable to find it. — Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Iranian hackers have attempted cyberattacks on a range of American infrastructure. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026 After the fight, Shakur allegedly got into a brawl with Anderson, a member of the South Side Compton Crips gang who had attempted to steal a Death Row Records medallion from a member of Shakur’s entourage. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempted

tried

Verb

Paul Robinson appeared in court along with former Penn State students, where preliminary hearings took place ahead of a Centre County judge ruling that Robinson and five former students would have their cases tried in county court.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
The patients had all previously tried other therapies with little to no success and had mutations in RAS proteins, which can drive tumor growth.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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