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try

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb try differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of try are attempt, endeavor, essay, and strive. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

When can attempt be used instead of try?

In some situations, the words attempt and try are roughly equivalent. However, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to try?

The synonyms endeavor and try are sometimes interchangeable, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When is essay a more appropriate choice than try?

The words essay and try can be used in similar contexts, but essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When is it sensible to use strive instead of try?

While the synonyms strive and try are close in meaning, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

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 try
Verb
The festival’s Un Certain Regard section featured two films by young actors trying their hand at directing full-length features for the first time. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025 Boldly trying new recipes for dinner though neither knows how to cook. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Noun
Marchand had two assists and the empty-net goal in winning his fifth career Game 7 against Toronto in five tries. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025 The Westminster Christian alum, 49, winds up his famous right arm and one hands it, chucking in the bag in on the first try. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for try
Recent Examples of Synonyms for try
Verb
  • For your people who come to the office, organize the workspace to make standing, stretching, or walking easy to do.
    William Arruda, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Replenish mulches to stretch the time between waterings. 39.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • According to Blabbermouth, Downe talked about missing Burch and attempting to heal on the band’s current U.S. tour.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 June 2025
  • Both immediately attempted to appeal their case, and while Todd’s sentence was upheld, Julie’s appeal was initially granted.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • As Nuno pointed out, the player of the season award could reasonably have been renamed the ‘team of the season award’ during a campaign in which Forest followed up back-to-back fights against relegation by pushing for Champions League qualification.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Some of the administration's pressure tactics: threatening to take away Harvard's non-profit status, freezing $3 billion in federal grant dollars, barring the university from enrolling foreign students, and pushing Congress to increase taxes on university endowments.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Any journey toward elevating procurement performance should begin with a reflection on value, and CPOs must strive to balance supply security with driving cost optimization.
    Matthew Buckingham, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Businesses should be able to write off the full expense of their capital investments in the year they are made, and the Senate should strive to cut spending elsewhere to balance out the revenue losses from making bonus depreciation permanent.
    The Editors, National Review, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade of the island would look like.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
  • The honor system was tested on recorded outs, and Koechner was calling everything a ball and allowing runners who were out to stay on base and run around the path.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Team Trump may also seek to use different legal strategies to reimpose some of the tariffs the court struck down.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
  • The house said last week it has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Chiuri has sought to promote more sustainable production methods and create jobs for women, especially in India, while admitting those efforts will take time to bear fruit.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Emerging narrative or worldview: Immigrants take jobs from American citizens and strain local resources.
    Rick Miller, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • At a time when housing affordability is already straining household finances, that threat isn’t helping inspire confidence.
    Catherine Baab, Quartz, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • The walk, only his second this month, bothered him.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/try. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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