Synonyms for Attempt

Updated 2026-10-12 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: An attempt is an effort to do something. When you need another word for attempt, you might choose synonyms like endeavor, try, or strive depending on the context. These alternatives help vary your language while keeping the meaning of making a serious or casual effort clear in your sentence.

Closest Synonyms for Attempt

endeavor: implies serious effort; The team will endeavor to finish the project today.
try: general effort; Please try to open the window slightly.
strive: implies continuous effort; She strives for excellence in all tasks.
endeavour: British spelling of endeavor; They will endeavour to help the new resident.
make an effort: casual commitment; You should make an effort to call your mother.
make a try: sports or game context; He made a try to score points quickly.
attempt to do: neutral phrasing; They attempt to solve the puzzle every night.
make a shot: sports context; The basketball player makes a shot at the rim.
make a move: taking action; She made a move to join the new club.
give it a go: informal encouragement; You should give it a go and see if you like it.
give it a shot: casual trial; Lets give it a shot and see what happens.
make a bid: trying to achieve a goal; He made a bid to become the team captain.

Formal Synonyms for Attempt

aspire: aims for a high goal; She aspires to become a renowned scientist.
endeavour to: formal phrase for trying; The group endeavors to solve the complex problem.
endeavor to: formal alternative spelling; They endeavor to reach the summit safely.
endeavour at: formal usage with location; Scientists endeavour at understanding the stars.
endeavor upon: formal beginning of action; She endeavors upon the difficult task today.
endeavor with: formal indicating tools; He endeavors with great patience and care.
endeavor for: formal goal seeking; They endeavor for the best outcome possible.
endeavor at: to make efforts toward a specific task, as in he endeavors at solving the puzzle

Informal Synonyms for Attempt

give it a whack: slang for trying; You can give it a whack if you want.
give it a whirl: casual trial; We can give it a whirl and see if we like it.
try your hand: Use your skills for a task you have not done before, such as trying your hand at painting for the first time.
have a go: Make an effort to achieve something, often said when encouraging someone to have a go at fixing a broken toy.
give it a try: Suggest trying a specific action, such as giving the lock a try before calling for help.
cast off: Stop being shy and take action, for example when you cast off doubts to finally join the team.
go for it: Encourage someone to try something difficult, like telling a friend to go for it and ask that person out.
shoot for: Aim to achieve a certain goal, such as shooting for a promotion at work.
give it a tug: Try pulling something to see if it works, like giving the stuck lid a tug.
put forth: Make an effort to achieve something, such as putting forth extra time to finish the project on time.

Stronger and Weaker Words

seek to: stronger, formal
fuss: weaker, implies unnecessary effort
make a dash: stronger, implies speed
do one's best: weaker, modest

Antonyms for Attempt

avoid
shun
refuse
reject
abandon
desist
cease
desist from
shy away
turn down

How to Pick the Right Synonym

When choosing a synonym for attempt, consider the tone and formality of your writing. Formal contexts like business reports might require words like endeavor or aspire, while casual conversations suit try or give it a shot. Always check the nuance; strive suggests persistence, whereas try is simple. Matching the intensity of the action with the synonym ensures your message is clear and appropriate for your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between try and endeavor?

Try is a general word for making an effort, often used casually. Endeavor is more formal and implies a serious, dedicated, or continuous effort toward a specific goal or objective.

Can attempt be used as a noun?

Yes, attempt can be used as a noun to mean an act of trying to do something, such as a failed attempt to solve a difficult math problem or a successful attempt at cooking dinner.

What is the opposite of attempt in a sentence?

The opposite of attempt depends on context but often involves words like avoid, refuse, or abandon. For example, instead of attempting a task, one might choose to avoid it or give up on it entirely.

Are there British spelling differences for attempt synonyms?

Yes, the word endeavor is spelled as endeavour in British English. This spelling appears in formal synonyms and should be used consistently with other British English words in your text.