trying

1 of 2

adjective

try·​ing ˈtrī-iŋ 

: severely straining the powers of endurance

a trying experience

tryingly adverb

trying

2 of 2

present participle of try entry 1

Synonyms

Adjective

• bitter
• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• inhuman
• murderous
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough

Examples of trying in a Sentence

Adjective

They have been through some trying times together.

He can be very trying at times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

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

It’s also been a trying few weeks for the Southeastern United States. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 12 Oct. 2024

Those factors have long combined to form something of an economic moat around horror movies, allowing the genre to remain a profitable corner of studio balance sheets in even the most trying years. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 19 June 2024

And in the most trying of times, art is imperative. —Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1718, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing trying

• it is not for lack/want of trying
• what are you trying to prove

Kids Definition

trying

adjective

try·​ing

ˈtrī-iŋ

: hard to bear or put up with

these are trying times