trying

1 of 2

adjective

try·​ing ˈtrī-iŋ How to pronounce trying (audio)
: severely straining the powers of endurance
a trying experience
tryingly adverb

trying

2 of 2

present 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
Adjective
Saving for eventually leaving the workforce while paying regular bills marred by inflation and digging out of the negatives becomes an even more trying feat. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 Melissa Barrera seems remarkably composed for someone navigating one of the most trying periods of their personal and professional lives. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2024 But the muddied tone did not dim our appreciation of Fishback, who managed to keep us with her character (mostly), even in the most trying of circumstances. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2023 But the primary purpose of this trip, for me, was to gather detail about how el jefe de Ford will guide the company through the most trying period for carmakers since the early days of the automotive industry. Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 Art fairs swing back to colorful life, with the Old Town Art Fair this weekend Artists inspire us, confound us and bring us together in the most trying times. Lauryn Azu, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2023 By reframing the narrative, embracing a beginner’s outlook, and building communities, many refugees thrive even in the most trying times. Sherzod Odilov, Fortune, 1 May 2023 Effective leaders strive to meet employees’ unique physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing needs, to create a common sense of purpose, as well as to foster physical and psychological safety as these efforts enable employees and organizations to thrive under the most trying conditions. John M. Bremen, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Comedian Ian Karmel was hosting a free show to celebrate the theater's back-to-capacity comedy night and for a moment things felt somewhat normal again after the most trying year Leigh has ever experienced. Sean Neumann, PEOPLE.com, 15 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trying.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1718, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trying was in 1718

Dictionary Entries Near trying

Cite this Entry

“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trying. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trying

adjective
try·​ing
ˈtrī-iŋ
: hard to bear or put up with
these are trying times

More from Merriam-Webster on trying

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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