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
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet Prows says finding the right tone and tightroping genres was an exercise in trial and error.
—
William Earl, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
Advertisement But such social contracts are built over time and with much trial and error.
—Justin Worland, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Testing out serums, in particular, takes a lot of trial and error.
—Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Through generations of trial and error, most Red Lake Nation members know to stay off the big lake in the winter, opting instead to fish for trout in smaller lakes and streams.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 14 Jan. 2026
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William Earl, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
Advertisement But such social contracts are built over time and with much trial and error.
—Justin Worland, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Testing out serums, in particular, takes a lot of trial and error.
—Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Through generations of trial and error, most Red Lake Nation members know to stay off the big lake in the winter, opting instead to fish for trout in smaller lakes and streams.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 14 Jan. 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 27 Jan. 2026.
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