as in hard
difficult to endure
a harrowing account of the trying conditions experienced by the climbers before they were rescued
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stretching
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
you're trying my patience
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in attempting
to make an effort to do
try to unlock the door will try to call later tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trying
Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
The Yankees never had the lead at any point in any game of the Series.
Dodgers
Dodgers overcome ‘most trying year’ to defeat Mets and reach the World Series
Oct. 21, 2024
Memorable moment: Sandy Koufax strikes out a then-World Series record 15 Yankees in Game 1.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Bret Kenwell, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
And that might also be scaring some people off about trying to release a brand-new holiday movie, not based on a piece of IP at this time of year.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for trying
Adjective
Sean Ono Lennon on Growing Up with 'Good Witch' Yoko Ono — and 'Rebelling' Against Her 'Cosmic, Woo-Woo Stuff' (Exclusive)
The press conference was a moment of levity in the midst of a very trying time for the couple.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
The Yankees never had the lead at any point in any game of the Series.
Dodgers
Dodgers overcome ‘most trying year’ to defeat Mets and reach the World Series
Oct. 21, 2024
Memorable moment: Sandy Koufax strikes out a then-World Series record 15 Yankees in Game 1.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
However, this lumpy performance has been frustrating for investors trying to time the market rather than maintain a constant exposure to small caps.
—Bret Kenwell, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
And that might also be scaring some people off about trying to release a brand-new holiday movie, not based on a piece of IP at this time of year.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
-
Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
-
That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.—
Max Olsan,
The Arizona Republic,
13 Feb. 2023
Verb
-
His 48-foot birdie putt set off a charge so loud that poor Corey Conners, attempting to speak to reporters a few hundred yards away, had to stop and wait.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
This year, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is attempting to not only win the Masters but become a grand slam champion.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the next two years, Muhammad rang up five more victories against progressively tougher competition.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
González also supports a tough stance on crime but has criticized Noboa’s use of foreign military contractors.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
With the MacBook Air launching earlier than the iPhone SE and ahead of the next Apple Intelligence update, this points to a press release launch and Apple pushing its consumer laptops further into the background.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
This is not a new development in New Orleans where the Saints have been pushing their costs into the future for years now.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This means going beyond policies and quotas, striving instead for cultural norms where differences are not only accepted but celebrated.—
Mo Hamzian,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Here's to making progress, staying focused, and striving for incremental improvements throughout 2025.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Her viral speech in Minneapolis in 2020 remains one of the most searing indictments of state violence in recent memory.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Storms in the South can topple shade trees, opening yards to the searing summer sun.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
He was forced to leave the game in the final minutes of the Pelicans’ Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers last season after straining his left hamstring.—
William Guillory,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Le Pen's remarks often sparked public outrage, but his influence shaped France's populist movement, with his inflammatory statements, including Holocaust denial, resulting in multiple convictions and straining his political alliances.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Hope reigns even in this harsh political climate we Americans are now experiencing.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
-
With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share