Antonyms for "makes a stab at" typically convey the idea of precision and mastery as opposed to clumsiness or a lack of confidence. Words such as "succeeds," "achieves," "masters," and "perfects" may be used instead to describe a successful attempt. Whereas "fails," "missteps," "trips up," and "misses the mark" may highlight instances of unsuccessful attempts. Additionally, words such as "hesitates," "doubts," "falters," and "wavers" may show a lack of confidence or uncertainty in the attempt. Choosing the right antonym to describe an attempt accurately can convey the writer's intention clearly to the reader.