Inklingo
← Dictionary

atentar

ah-ten-tar/atenˈtaɾ/

to attempt an attack

Also: to commit an assault
VerbB2regular ar
A dark, shadowy figure sneaking toward a guarded stone castle gate at night.
gerundatentando
past Participleatentado
infinitiveatentar

📝 In Action

El grupo intentó atentar contra el edificio gubernamental.

B2

The group tried to carry out an attack against the government building.

Es un crimen grave atentar contra la vida de una persona.

B2

It is a serious crime to attempt to take a person's life.

Las fuerzas de seguridad evitaron que alguien pudiera atentar en el desfile.

C1

Security forces prevented anyone from being able to commit an attack during the parade.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • atentar contra la vida – to attempt to take a life
  • atentar contra la seguridad – to threaten security

to infringe upon

Also: to violate, to be detrimental to
VerbC1regular arformal
A heavy iron boot stepping down on a delicate blooming flower.
gerundatentando
past Participleatentado
infinitiveatentar

📝 In Action

Esa nueva ley atenta contra la libertad de expresión.

C1

That new law infringes upon the freedom of expression.

Sus comentarios atentan contra el honor de mi familia.

C1

His comments are detrimental to my family's honor.

Contaminar el río es atentar contra el medio ambiente.

B2

Polluting the river is to violate environmental protections.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vulnerar (to infringe/violate)
  • quebrantar (to break/breach)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • atentar contra los derechos humanos – to infringe upon human rights
  • atentar contra la dignidad – to be detrimental to dignity

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesatentaran
yoatentara
túatentaras
vosotrosatentarais
nosotrosatentáramos
él/ella/ustedatentara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesatenten
yoatente
túatentes
vosotrosatentéis
nosotrosatentemos
él/ella/ustedatente

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesatentaron
yoatenté
túatentaste
vosotrosatentasteis
nosotrosatentamos
él/ella/ustedatentó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesatentaban
yoatentaba
túatentabas
vosotrosatentabais
nosotrosatentábamos
él/ella/ustedatentaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesatentan
yoatento
túatentas
vosotrosatentáis
nosotrosatentamos
él/ella/ustedatenta
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "atentar" in Spanish:

to violate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: atentar

Question 1 of 3

Which preposition must follow 'atentar' when it means to infringe or attack?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
atentado(attack/assault) — Noun
atentatorio(infringing/harmful) — Adjective
tentar(to tempt/touch) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'attentāre', which means 'to touch' or 'to try out'. Over time, it evolved from 'trying to do something' to 'trying to do harm' or 'attacking'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: attemptFrench: attenter

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'atacar' and 'atentar'?

'Atacar' is a general word for any kind of attack. 'Atentar' is more formal and usually refers to a specific, serious 'attempt' or 'outrage' against someone's life, safety, or rights.

Can I use 'atentar' to mean 'to try' like in English?

No. While they share an origin, 'atentar' only means 'to try to harm'. For 'to try' (as in to attempt a task), you should use 'intentar'.

Is 'atentar' used in everyday conversation?

It is more common in news broadcasts, legal discussions, or newspapers than in casual chat with friends.