attempted

adjective

at·​tempt·​ed ə-ˈtem(p)-təd How to pronounce attempted (audio)
: having been tried without success
an attempted suicide
an attempted takeover
especially, law : characterized by an intent to commit and effort taken to commit a specified crime that fails or is prevented
an attempted robbery
was charged with attempted murder

Examples of attempted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and attempted rape. Matti Gellman, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2024 From the moment Saba hits Georgian soil, the police look askance at his family name — a warrant is out for Dad for attempted murder, he’s told — and seize his passport. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2024 One man also survived an attempted overdose, allegedly in connection with Auborn, in December, 2022 according to the Attorney General’s Office. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023 Doherty was apprehended several minutes later and booked into Vista jail for attempted murder of a police officer, felony resisting, assault with a firearm on a police officer, and an outstanding arrest warrant for DUI. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2023 Game fixing of any kind — actual or attempted — results in a permanent ban from the NFL. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 30 Sep. 2023 And his attempted power grab comes at a time of profound instability for the industry, with Fox News and MSNBC both facing questions about the future of their primetime lineups. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 25 July 2023 Warrants for attempted murder were obtained on Watts on June 6, who had been hospitalized in the incident. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 14 July 2023 Two of those charged subsequently escaped, and another was killed in an attempted getaway, according to news reports. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attempted.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attempted was circa 1513

Dictionary Entries Near attempted

Cite this Entry

“Attempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attempted. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

attempted

adjective
at·​tempt·​ed
: characterized by an intent to commit and effort taken to commit a specified crime that fails or is prevented
attempted forgery
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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