trial and error
noun
: a finding out of the best way to reach a desired result or a correct solution by trying out one or more ways or means and by noting and eliminating errors or causes of failure
also
: the trying of one thing or another until something succeeds
Examples of trial and error in a Sentence
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Chiao is part of a booming new economy of professional experts in their fields who are training AI through a process called reinforcement learning, essentially grading AI’s responses and teaching models to improve through trial and error.
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Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
All that trial and error is stressing your plant out.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
After hours of trial and error, Jeff eventually settled on a three-tooth design that provides enough force to advance the numbered drum, while still using a minimal number of teeth to allow the gears to rotate back with little resistance.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
How does that feel, the trial and error of working with some producers that are not as encouraging?
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trial and error
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Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
All that trial and error is stressing your plant out.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
After hours of trial and error, Jeff eventually settled on a three-tooth design that provides enough force to advance the numbered drum, while still using a minimal number of teeth to allow the gears to rotate back with little resistance.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
How does that feel, the trial and error of working with some producers that are not as encouraging?
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trial and error
Cite this Entry
“Trial and error.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trial%20and%20error. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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