What does reattempting mean?
Reattempting means trying something again after an earlier attempt has failed, been interrupted, or been rejected. It is the present-participle form of the verb reattempt and is commonly used when describing a repeated effort to complete a task, overcome an obstacle, or submit something that was previously unsuccessful. The word has a formal, procedural tone: writers may say that someone was “reattempting the application” or “reattempting the climb,” while everyday conversation usually favors “trying again” or “retrying.” Unlike simply repeating an action, reattempting specifically implies that the earlier effort did not achieve the intended result. The prefix re- adds the idea of a second or subsequent try, making the word useful in accounts of persistence, troubleshooting, and renewed effort. It can apply to practical activities, formal applications, legal or administrative procedures, and physical challenges.
verb (present participle)Trying again after an initial attempt has failed or been unsuccessful. “Reattempting” is the present-participle form of reattempt.
- To try something again after an initial attempt has failed or been unsuccessful.
"After the flight was cancelled, the passengers spent hours reattempting to book another one."
"The climber spent the afternoon reattempting the steep section of the route."
"After the application was rejected, she began reattempting the process with revised documents."
The prefix re- turns a single try into a second chance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reattempting come from?
The word is formed from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and attempt, which comes through Old French from Latin attemptare, a frequentative of tendere, “to stretch” or “aim.” The re- prefix was added in English to express another attempt. Related words include attempt, tempt, tentative, and tendency, all reflecting Latin roots associated with aiming, stretching, or trying.
Related word forms
How reattempting is actually used
The form is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. In conversational English, “trying again” or “retrying” is often more natural.