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
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
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
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
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
-
The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2023
Verb
-
The footage released by James’ office shows another NYPD vehicle ahead of Perez attempting a similar blocking maneuver that Williams narrowly avoided.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
23 Dec. 2024
-
While attempting to conceal the affair, Romy weaponizes both her womanhood and her CEO status.—
Louis Staples,
Rolling Stone,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
After some tough matchups in the Trader Joe’s Elite Sweets Tournament, one classic emerged as the champion.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2025
-
But the Lotus ladies will have some tough competition, including seven-time winner Allison Janney, two-time winner Patricia Arquette, and potential double nominee Kaitlyn Dever.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
And the federal government has refused to enact reforms the industry has been pushing for at least a decade.—
Andrew DeAngelo,
Forbes,
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
-
Stir-frying is a method of quickly searing and cooking bite-size pieces of protein and vegetables in a splash of oil over high heat.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Theron’s performance as the one-armed warrior Furiosa is one for the ages—stoic, searing and unbearably emotional beneath the surface.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 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
-
Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Never one for details, Trump is now clearly linking the harsh 54% tariffs imposed on China on Tuesday to a TikTok deal.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share