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ATTEMPTED
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Tried unsuccessfully
Example:
attempted murder
Classified under:
Similar:
unsuccessful (not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Past simple / past participle of the verb attempt
Context examples:
Suddenly he sprang to his feet, thrust her from him as her arms attempted to clasp him, and retreated backward to the door. He was in a panic.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
There is a door here which he might have attempted.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“Anyhow, we shall have you on a charge of conspiracy, if not for attempted murder.”
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I neither expressed surprise at this resolution nor attempted to dissuade her from it.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Recently, tissue engineers have attempted to grow neurons in 3D gel environments, where they can freely establish connections in all directions.
(Bioengineers create functional 3D brain-like tissue, NIH)
The generous nature of Safie was outraged by this command; she attempted to expostulate with her father, but he left her angrily, reiterating his tyrannical mandate.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
They attempted, therefore, likewise, to excuse themselves; the weather was uncertain, and not likely to be good.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
Mr. Woodhouse would have been miserable had his daughter attempted it, and she was therefore safe from either exciting or receiving unpleasant and most unsuitable ideas.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
“Had he been on this side of the water he might have attempted something upon us.”
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
