How do you use the word "attempt" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "attempt": Our attempt has proved to be a failure. Don't attempt two things at once.

Attempt Meaning

/əˈtɛmpt/

Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo try.

verbTo try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt.

Sentence Examples

Our attempt has proved to be a failure.

Don't attempt two things at once.

I passed my driving test at the first attempt.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

try attack effort

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

He will ____ to climb the dangerous mountain without any equipment.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

Please ____ to finish the task before the end of the day today.

Word Origin & History

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin temptō Latin attemptōder. Old French atempterbor. Middle English attempten English attempt Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“to try, solicit”), from ad- (“to”) + temptō; see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580. By surface analysis, at- + tempt.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Something attempted, something done, / Has earned a night's repose." — 1842, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Village Blacksmith:

"Some poems, echoing the purpose of early poetic treatises on scientific principles, attempt to elucidate the mathematical concepts that underlie prime numbers. Others play with primes’ cultural associations. Still others derive their structure from mathematical patterns involving primes." — 2013 July-August, Sarah Glaz, “Ode to Prime Numbers”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4:

"Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you." — c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

"It made the laughter of an afternoon / That Vivien should attempt the blameless king." — 1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Vivien”, in Idylls of the King, London: Edward Moxon & Co., […], →OCLC, page 102:

"Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further: / Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute." — c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:

Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words