trying

1 of 2

adjective

try·​ing ˈtrī-iŋ How to pronounce trying (audio)
: severely straining the powers of endurance
a trying experience
tryingly adverb

trying

2 of 2

present participle of try entry 1

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 See all Example Sentences for trying 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trying.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1718, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trying was in 1718

Dictionary Entries Near trying

Cite this Entry

“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trying. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

trying

adjective
try·​ing
ˈtrī-iŋ
: hard to bear or put up with
these are trying times

More from Merriam-Webster on trying

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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