try

verb \ ˈtrī \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

China, for instance, has experienced extensive overfishing in its own waters, and a study published in April 2017 found the country trying to compensate by fishing in waters as far as western Africa.

— chris johns, National Geographic, "High Seas Fishing Isn’t Just Destructive—It’s Unprofitable," 6 June 2018
Behind them, Brandon Coleman has been a useful player the past few years, Tommylee Lewis and Austin Carr already have experience in the Saints offense and rookie third-round pick Tre'Quan Smith will try to earn a role, too.

— josh katzenstein, NOLA.com, "Wide receiver Josh Huff using 'rookie mindset' in pursuit of Saints roster spot," 6 June 2018
Cao said people inside tried to help Mannery, but a stack of chairs between the doors fell over, blocking the entrance.

— maya eliahou and david williams, CNN, "A dessert shop employee protects a gay couple from a mob yelling slurs during Utah's Pride festival," 6 June 2018
Alicia Silverstone stars in this half-hour dramedy set in the 1970s about a newly single mother of two trying to start over in a world that’s decades away from seeing the commercial appeal of a Beverly Hills housewife.

— ellen gray, Philly.com, "Summer TV: Dragon-free but still plenty to see," 6 June 2018
This season, when a player has tried to bunt against the shift but misses or fouls the ball off, and the count goes 0-1, the Royals have hit .224 as a team.

— lee judge special to the star, kansascity, "Why don't Royals hitters fare better against The Shift? Their hitting coach explains," 6 June 2018
So a mistrial was declared, and the Justice Department ended up dropping the case rather than trying to prosecute him again.

— andrew prokop, Vox, "Takeaways from New Jersey, Alabama, New Mexico, and other election results.," 6 June 2018
According to Peter Van der Auweraert, of the International Organisation for Migration, the majority of the new arrivals are people who have been stuck in Serbia or Greece and, frustrated by their situation, are trying this new route.

— The Economist, "Bosnia’s politicians are arguing about a mysterious wave of arrivals," 6 June 2018
Troopers tried to stop the 1998 white Dodge Durango but Jones sped up to over 100 mph on the southbound Glenn Highway, the dispatch says.

— zaz hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Troopers: Palmer man leads officers on wild chase that ends near Wasilla Walmart," 6 June 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

Substantially higher percentages of students passed the state’s high school English II exam on the first try this year in Bexar County’s biggest school districts, and in other large districts across the state.

— alia malik, San Antonio Express-News, "Bexar’s largest school districts improved their STAAR English II exam results," 6 June 2018
Contestants were tasked with creating a to-go version of their signature dish and then convincing park guests to give their meal a try.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "2 Central Florida chefs competing in Food Network Star," 6 June 2018
On the first try, the publication’s tester vehicle demonstrated a 130-footing stopping distance after hitting 60 mph.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "Tesla’s Quick Fix For Its Braking System Came from the Ether," 30 May 2018
But Martin has yet to land a player from the area on the first try, which is what makes the 2019 and 2020 classes so crucial to the program’s success.

— alex schiffer, kansascity, "What Jontay Porter's return means for the Missouri basketball team this winter," 30 May 2018
Nearly 70 percent of Arizona Summit graduates fail the Arizona Bar Exam on the first try, delaying their becoming practicing attorneys.

— anne ryman, azcentral, "Arizona Summit Law School sues American Bar Association, claims abuse of power," 24 May 2018
Tuesday’s passage on the first try was the fourth time in the last eight years that the budget was approved by voters at the first referendum.

— steven goode, Courant Community, "Voters Approve Budget Proposal," 9 May 2018
Why don’t more hospitals improve their performance on the first try?

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Medicare surveys call for corrections at Palomar Medical Center," 30 Apr. 2018
After having one attempt washed out and another halted in the top of the second inning, Dundee-Crown finished its game at Hampshire on the third try.

— paul johnson, Elgin Courier-News, "No struggle for Loyola recruit Sydney Ruggles as Dundee-Crown completes delayed victory over Hampshire," 26 Apr. 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