to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek

to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.

Archaic . to attack; move against in a hostile manner

to attempt a person's life.

Archaic . to tempt.

an effort made to accomplish something

He made an attempt to swim across the lake.

an attack or assault

an attempt upon the leader's life.

noun

certainty , laziness , success

verb

be lazy

noun

all one’s got , attack , bid * , crack * , dry run * , endeavor , exertion , experiment , fling , go , header , lick * , one’s all , one’s darnedest , one’s level best , pursuit , shot , stab , striving , struggle , trial , try , tryout , undertaking , venture , whack * , workout , crack , effort , essay , offer , aggression , assailment , assault , offense , offensive , onrush , onset , onslaught , strike , assay , conation , conatus , coup d\'essai , start , test

verb

aim , attack , do level best , endeavor , essay , exert oneself , experiment , give a fling , give a whirl , give best shot , give it a go , give it a try , give old college try , go the limit , have a crack , have a go at , make a run at , pursue , push , seek , shoot the works , solicit , strive , tackle , take a stab at , take best shot , take on , try one’s hand at , undertake , venture , assay , try , begin , effort , entreat , explore , fish , hunt , probe , search , shot , stab , start , trial , wage