try
verb
\
Definition of try
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to make an attempt you can do it if you try
1 : to make an attempt at —often used with an infinitive try to fix the car
2a : to put to test or trial try one's luck —often used with out try out a new method
b : to subject to something (such as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance
c : demonstrate, prove
3a : to examine or investigate judicially try a case
b(1) : to conduct the trial of
(2) : to participate as counsel in the judicial examination of
4a : to melt down and procure in a pure state : render try out whale oil from blubber
5 : to fit or finish with accuracy
: to attempt something for the first time
try
nounDefinition of try (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : an experimental trial : attempt succeeded on the first try
2 : a play in rugby that is similar to a touchdown in football, scores usually five points, and entitles the scoring side to attempt a placekick at the goal for additional points also : the score made on a try
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Synonyms for try
Synonyms: Verb
Synonyms: Noun
assay [archaic], attempt, bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, whack, whirl
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Examples of try in a Sentence
Verb
I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try. Keep trying. You can do it. You can do it if you try hard enough. “He said he can beat you.” “I'd like to see him try!” I tried, but I just couldn't do it. “She's not in the office now.” “OK. I'll try again later.” I don't know where she is. Try calling her on her cell phone. He tried a few things to remove the stain, but nothing worked. Did you try restarting the computer? If you want to lose weight, try exercising more.Noun
was granted another try at the field goal
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Google spent a lot of time and effort trying to convince everyone that Chrome OS isn't just for laptops. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Pixel Slate review: Paying the “Google” premium for Chrome OS," 29 Nov. 2018 The medium tried her best to comfort her only daughter by saying that her weight didn't define her and that, unfortunately, people being negative is part of life. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'Long Island Medium' Theresa Caputo Shares Heartbreaking Update About Her Daughter's Bullying," 30 Oct. 2018 And now, more people are trying this trick, including South Florida stylist Olivia Smalley, who shared a video of her attempt with her nearly 140,000 followers. — Marci Robin, Allure, "This Viral Hair-Curling Hack Requires a Blow-Dryer and an Empty Water Bottle," 2 Nov. 2018 Megyn Kelly Today had battled low ratings ever since the show premiered in 2017, and there had frequently been reports NBC was trying to figure out what to do with the show. — Megan Friedman, Good Housekeeping, "Here's Everything You Need to Know About Megyn Kelly’s NBC Exit," 26 Oct. 2018 That’s what the tomato people are always trying to tell me. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "Kimbal Musk Is Reinventing Food One Shipping Container at a Time," 24 Oct. 2018 The original Palm Beach hotel, built in 1976, was where Lefèvre himself learned how to swim, and management is trying to revive the local party atmosphere at the location. — Danielle Fox, ELLE Decor, "At the Nhow Marseille Hotel in France, Italian Furniture and Local Grit Lead the Design," 22 Oct. 2018 The conduct is surfacing as Uber has been trying to turn itself around after a tumultuous 2017. — Mike Isaac, BostonGlobe.com, "At Uber, new questions arise about executive behavior," 14 July 2018 Eight years after Google first showed its self-driving car to The New York Times, the autonomous vehicle industry is still trying to figure out how to talk about itself. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "Home From the Honeymoon, the Self-Driving Car Industry Faces Reality," 13 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Which is why some observers say this deal might eventually pass — but maybe not until the second try. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "The many unpredictable outcomes of Brexit, explained," 21 Nov. 2018 French tries, but the climactic revelations here inevitably seem too little, too late. — Maureen Corrigan, The Seattle Times, "Fans of Tana French are in for a surprise with ‘The Witch Elm’," 23 Oct. 2018 Like so: The motion becomes intuitive after three or four tries, yes. — Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, "The 10 Hardest Things To Get Used to on the Tesla Model 3," 10 Oct. 2018 When the other side tries, it is called identity politics. — The Economist, "What’s left?To win back power, Democrats must do things that make them uncomfortable," 14 July 2018 After the second try, if the crops are over the legal amount the crop has to be destroyed. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Six things you might be asking about hemp," 13 July 2018 Only his weak try was gobbled up by Kasper Schmeichel, preserving the tie and sending the game to a shootout to decide who would advance. — Kevin Baxter, latimes.com, "Croatia didn't pay the penalty for misses this time around," 10 July 2018 The one hole on Stewart’s glowing resumé is his failure to capture the Daytona 500 in 17 tries. — Edgar Thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Chase Elliott captures the pole at Coke Zero Sugar 400," 7 July 2018 His car, which has a broken coolant system, took a few tries to start. — Kathleen Joyce, Fox News, "New York millennial finally leaves his parents' home, but first calls cops on his dad over Legos," 1 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'try.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Learn More about try
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
We're Going to Explain the Deal with...
We're Going to Explain the Deal with 'Try And' and 'Try To'
Just try and stop us
Statistics for try
Last Updated
8 Dec 2018
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for try
The first known use of try was in the 14th century
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More Definitions for try
try
verb
English Language Learners Definition of try
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to make an effort to do something : to attempt to accomplish or complete something
: to do or use (something) in order to see if it works or will be successful
: to do or use (something) in order to find out if you like it
try
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of try (Entry 2 of 2)
: an effort or attempt to do something
rugby : a play in which points are scored by touching the ground with the ball behind the opponent's goal line
See the full definition for try in the English Language Learners Dictionary
try
verb
\
Kids Definition of try
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to make an effort or attempt at He tries to remain calm. Try calling her.
2 : to put to a test Have you ever tried artichokes? You might try this key in the lock.
3 : to examine or investigate in a court of law They were tried for murder.
4 : to conduct the trial of An experienced judge will try the case.
5 : to test to the limit The children are trying my patience.
: to put on (a garment) to test the fit
: to compete to fill a part (as on an athletic team or in a play)
try
nounKids Definition of try (Entry 2 of 2)
: an effort to do something : attempt It took several tries, but I finally scored.
Try
abbreviationMedical Definition of Try
tryptophan
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try
transitive verbLegal Definition of try
1 : to examine or investigate judicially no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law — U.S. Constitution amend. VII in an action tried on the facts without a jury — Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 52(a)
2 : to conduct the trial of : put on trial
3 : to participate as lawyer or counsel in the trial of : bring to trial on behalf of a client was unqualified to try death penalty cases
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