Synonyms of try

try 1 of 2

verb

ˈtrī 

1

as in to stretch

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress

you're trying my patience

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stretch
• push
• test
• get (to)
• strain
• bother
• annoy
• tax
• irritate
• harass
• pressure
• demand
• importune
• exact
• pester
• aggravate
• pain
• spite
• rile
• irk
• exasperate
• press
• gnaw (at)
• agitate
• vex
• grate
• harry
• gall
• hassle
• peeve
• nettle

2

as in to attempt

to make an effort to do

try to unlock the door

will try to call later tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attempt
• strive
• seek
• endeavor
• hope
• shoot for
• essay
• shoot at
• work
• struggle
• aim
• assay
• fight
• have a go at
• try one's hand (at)
• undertake
• trouble
• aspire
• toil
• assume
• take up
• strain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quit
• drop
• give up

try

2 of 2

noun

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something

was granted another try at the field goal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attempt
• go
• stab
• offer
• endeavor
• bid
• shot
• pass
• trial
• essay
• crack
• assay
• struggle
• bash
• whack
• whirl
• fling
• striving
• undertaking
• throes
• trial and error

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

Recent Examples of try

Verb

Unmatched medical students can try to nab unfilled residency spots through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025

Dyrholm doesn’t only try to encounter her characters with openness but also people in her everyday life. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025

Noun

The Cathedral Catholic High School graduate is second in the MLR with four tries scored and also ranks among leaders in clean breaks and turnovers forced. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Did the ones that separated try giving it another go in the real world? —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing try

• try (out)
• try one's hand (at)