From finalist, a brave attempt (4)
I believe the answer is:
stab
'attempt' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'from finalist a brave' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'STAB' is hidden in the letters of 'finalist a brave'.
(Other definitions for stab that I've seen before include "Attack with a dagger" , "Wound with pointed weapon" , "Injure with knife" , "Run through - essay" , "Go" .)