Our attempt has proved to be a failure.
Source: tatoeba (23403)
Attempt
/əˈtɛmpt/
Synonyms for "attempt" (201 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (41)
Noun(15 words)
Verb(5 words)
Strong matches (60)
Noun(15 words)
contractcrackdaredare todealdevoteeffortembark inembark uponendeavorengageengage inengagemententer onenter uponenterpriseessayexertexperimentfall into
Show 20 more words
fall toflinggambitget under waygogo aboutgo atgo in forgo intogo uponhasslehave athazardinaugurateinitiateinitiationintendlaunch forthlaunch intolay about
Verb(5 words)
Related words (100)
licklift a fingermake an attemptmake an effortmake boldmake freemovemove intoobligationofferoperationpainspasspitch intoplanplunge intopresumepretendpretend toproceed
Show 46 more words
proceed toprogramprojectpropositionrivalseekseek toset aboutset atset forwardset goingset toshotshystabstartstepstrivestrive tostrivingstrokestrong bidstrugglestudy totackletake ontake the libertytake uptasktentativetrialtrial and errortroubletrytry andtry toturn toundertakeundertakingventureventure onventure toventure uponwarwhackwork
Noun(21 words)
nibblepractice testprovoretriesretrysample essayseekshort piece of writingshotsstabbingstabsstrivestrugglestestestirotrialstriestroublestryingundertake
Show 1 more word
Verb(12 words)
Determiner(1 words)
the more effort
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: effort, try, assay, endeavor, essay.
- Sentence evidence is available for attempt, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "attempt".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "attempt"
Keep "attempt" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "attempt" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "attempt", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "attempt" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
13 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
8 entriesbold attemptconcerted attemptfailed attemptfinal attemptfirst attemptinitial attemptserious attemptsuccessful attempt
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
30 total sentences available.
Don't attempt two things at once.
Source: tatoeba (27468)
Don't attempt two projects at a time.
Source: tatoeba (27469)
The attempt ended in failure for want of support.
Source: tatoeba (47309)
Showing 4 of 30 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "attempt"?
Closest matches include effort, try, assay, endeavor, essay.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "attempt"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.