Inklingo
Dictionary

atentar

ah-ten-taratenˈtaɾ

“atentar” means “to attempt an attack” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to attempt an attackB2Verb

committing a physical assault or act of terrorism

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to infringe uponC1Verb

violating rights or principles

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to attempt an attackAlso: 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 uponAlso: 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

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

yoatento
túatentas
él/ella/ustedatenta
nosotrosatentamos
vosotrosatentáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesatentan
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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
cantaramenazarexplotar
📚 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

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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.