try

verb \ ˈtrī \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: try in a Sentence

Definition of try

tried; trying

intransitive verb

: to make an attempt

you can do it if you try

transitive verb

1 : to make an attempt at —often used with an infinitive

try to fix the car

2 a : 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

3 a : 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

4 a : to melt down and procure in a pure state : render

try out whale oil from blubber

b obsolete : purify, refine

5 : to fit or finish with accuracy

— try one's hand

: to attempt something for the first time

See try defined for English-language learners

See try defined for kids

Examples of try in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of try from the Web

The Nigerian police arrested and then killed Yusuf in front of a crowd outside the police headquarters in Maiduguri (the government insisted he was shot while trying to escape).

— The Economist, "The fight against Islamic State is moving to Africa," 14 July 2018
Parents and children were greeted with closed lines and massive delays as consumers tried to bank on the stuffed animal company’s discount promotion, where shoppers would pay the amount equivalent to their age for a new toy.

— natalie dreier, ajc, "Chuck E. Cheese offer: Pay your child’s age for unlimited play today," 13 July 2018
Karagyoz wants to marry, and Haji Ayvaz is trying to help him.

— allison keyes, Smithsonian, "Illuminating the Shadowy Art of Armenian Puppet Theater," 13 July 2018
Waukegan tries to facilitate the creation of murals on a regular basis, Motley said.

— emily k. coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Artist behind Ray Bradbury mural in Waukegan hopes his work will inspire kids who don't have access to art," 13 July 2018
Of course, as many have tried, the word, its sensibilities, and its proxies have remained elusive and difficult to pin down.

— krista stevens, Longreads, "The Town That Camp Built," 12 July 2018
Both queens were navigating life as monarchs in a traditional, patriarchal world while trying to remain in charge and well, alive.

— michaela bechler, Vogue, "Mary Queen of Scots," 12 July 2018
The game’s afoot as Sherlock tries to discover why, in a fast-moving plot involving rapid-fire dialogue between Bissell and Kettering as well as quick, adeptly handled transitions on Jack Magaw’s set.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Door County theaters add stories and sparkle to summer nights," 11 July 2018
The rest of them just looked like actors trying to remember their choreography.

— max maller, Chicago Reader, "Fucking Men struggles with onstage intimacy realness," 11 July 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of try

Middle English trien, from Anglo-French trier to select, sort, examine, determine, probably from Late Latin tritare to grind, frequentative of Latin terere to rub — more at ¹throw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

See Words from the same year

try Synonyms

Synonyms

strain, stretch, tax, test;

aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get (to), gnaw (at), grate, harass, harry, hassle, irk, irritate, nettle, pain, peeve, pester, rile, spite, vex;

Synonym Discussion of try

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

- ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

- children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

- a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

- tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

- a body racked by pain

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

- will attempt to photograph the rare bird

try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

- tried to determine which was the better procedure

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

- endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

- will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

- continues to strive for peace

try

noun

Definition of try

plural tries

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

See try defined for English-language learners

Examples of try in a Sentence

was granted another try at the field goal

Recent Examples of try from the Web

He was given a penalty try in the 78th minute—only for it to be taken away by a video-assistant referee, showing that Neymar had oversold the contact.

— andrew beaton, WSJ, "Brazil Lives Up to Its Reputation, Tops Costa Rica at World Cup," 22 June 2018
But then Caledonia rallied, and senior pitcher Samantha Gehrls thwarted Hartland’s second comeback try in a 6-4 win over the Eagles.

— tom lang, Detroit Free Press, "Division 1 softball: Caledonia rallies, then holds off Hartland for title," 16 June 2018
The public can give it a try by recording a brief vocal or instrumental performance, or even talking.

— larry bleiberg, USA TODAY, "Where to celebrate ‘Make Music Day’ across the USA," 15 June 2018
Seacrest’s girlfriend, Shayna Taylor, read about it online and decided to give it a try with him for five days last week.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "This Is the Juice Cleanse that Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest Are Doing: 'It's a Restart'," 6 June 2018
Jake Blalock won three baseball titles in his illustrious playing career at Rancho Bernardo before losing a fourth try in 2002.

— jim lindgren, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Old name leads new baseball champs at San Pasqual," 2 June 2018
Lasike came off the Eagles bench and scored a try in an Americas Rugby Championship match against Chile on a play in which his teammates set him up.

— phil thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Ex-Bear Paul Lasike to return to Soldier Field – as a rugby player," 15 May 2018
After feasting on the power play in the first two games, the Blue Jackets failed to score on four tries with a man advantage.

— mitch stacy, baltimoresun.com, "Capitals beat Blue Jackets, 3-2, in second overtime to cut series deficit to 2-1," 18 Apr. 2018
So when a new Louisville company, Mojo Hydration, started offering Louisville City players a saline water concoction through an IV to help with post-game rehydration, Totsch didn't hesitate to give it a try.

— zahria rogers, The Courier-Journal, "Concierge IV hydration therapy service seeks to rehydrate Louisville," 12 July 2018

First Known Use of try

1832

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

try Synonyms

Synonyms

attempt, bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, whack, whirl;

trial and error;

TRY Defined for English Language Learners

try

verb

Definition of try for English Language Learners

: 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

noun

Definition of try for English Language Learners

: 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

TRY Defined for Kids

try

verb \ ˈtrī \

Definition of try for Students

tried \ˈtrīd\; trying

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.

— try on

: to put on (a garment) to test the fit

— try out

: to compete to fill a part (as on an athletic team or in a play)

try

noun

Definition of try for Students

plural tries

: an effort to do something : attempt

It took several tries, but I finally scored.

Medical Dictionary

Try

abbreviation

medical Definition of Try

tryptophan

Law Dictionary

try

transitive verb

legal Definition of try

tried; trying

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