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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
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.
Unless there’s a last-minute breakthrough by centrists in both parties who have tried for agreement, that option may get some Republican support, but almost surely not enough to get to Trump’s desk. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025 In an uncommon case where a person is tried for murder but the victim’s body has not been found, a San Diego Superior Court jury convicted Magana of second-degree murder. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025 Officers from several agencies tried for more than two hours to calm the man down, police said. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025 Experts now call this briny beverage a must-try for any host looking to impress. Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for try for

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Cite this Entry

“Try for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/try%20for. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

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