(TRY) [verb] [+ to infinitive] [past:] sought [formal] - to try or attemptThey sought to reassure broadcasters that the new rules would not mean certain news programmes disappearing from television schedules.Mr Taylor is seeking to recover money he believes he is owed by the insurance company.
SEEK
Meaning of SEEK in English
Cambridge English vocab. Кембриджский английский словарь. 2012