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
The pressure from lawmakers comes as Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch tries for the second year to get the Florida Senate’s confirmation.
—
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Arquette flies out to centerfield, but a strong relay and Mora tagsout the runner trying for third.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
Two others tried for the commission in 2024.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
First baseman Rafael Devers cut off the throw and saw Suzuki trying for second.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 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.
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Arquette flies out to centerfield, but a strong relay and Mora tagsout the runner trying for third.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
Two others tried for the commission in 2024.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
First baseman Rafael Devers cut off the throw and saw Suzuki trying for second.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 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 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
