: severely straining the powers of endurance
a trying experience
tryingly
adverb
trying
2 of 2present participle of try entry 1
Examples of trying in a Sentence
Adjective
They have been through some trying times together.
He can be very trying at times.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
And Modi and Xi have had a more trying relationship than either has had with Putin.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
When your spouse passes away, this can be a very trying and confusing time.
—Thomas Hager, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Jax is in the middle of his most trying experience since his rookie season.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
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Adjective
More than half of the search-and-rescue workers who show up for the most trying missions are BUSARs.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
And Modi and Xi have had a more trying relationship than either has had with Putin.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
When your spouse passes away, this can be a very trying and confusing time.
—Thomas Hager, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Jax is in the middle of his most trying experience since his rookie season.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trying
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trying. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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