attentare

to make an attempt on

verb at-ten-TAH-reh Rare

Also means

to attack

Usage Note

Attentare is almost always used in the construction attentare a + something: attentare alla vita di qualcuno means 'to make an attempt on someone's life'. Do not confuse with attendere (to wait) or with the noun attentato (terrorist attack). It takes avere as its auxiliary.

Examples

"Il sicario tentò di attentare alla vita del ministro."

Natural Translation

The hitman tried to make an attempt on the minister's life.

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