try for
phrasal verb
tried for; trying for; tries for
: to make an attempt or effort to get (something)
He tried for second place but finished third instead.
Examples of try for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
CapRadio’s tower plan CapRadio tried for more than a decade to repair the tower beaming KXPR, which transmits classical music.
—
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Albemarle resident Tawanna Chambers said she’s tried for months to hold Heider accountable after an August 2024 gastric sleeve operation led to two additional abdominal surgeries, multiple hospitalizations and chronic complications.
—Amber Gaudet
updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Smith, a friend of Gibson for years, recognized this and set about convincing her to try for the Olympic team.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Adelaida Fernandez of Birmingham is trying for her third straight City title in girls’ wrestling.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for try for
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.
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Albemarle resident Tawanna Chambers said she’s tried for months to hold Heider accountable after an August 2024 gastric sleeve operation led to two additional abdominal surgeries, multiple hospitalizations and chronic complications.
—Amber Gaudet
updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Smith, a friend of Gibson for years, recognized this and set about convincing her to try for the Olympic team.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Adelaida Fernandez of Birmingham is trying for her third straight City title in girls’ wrestling.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for try for
Cite this Entry
“Try for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/try%20for. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
