trying

1 of 2

adjective

try·​ing ˈtrī-iŋ 

: severely straining the powers of endurance

a trying experience

tryingly adverb

trying

2 of 2

present participle of try entry 1

Synonyms

Adjective

• bitter
• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• inhuman
• murderous
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough

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

Getting to Coachella this year has been more trying than usual, festivalgoers say, as many are taking to social media to complain about hours-long lines to get to the car camping area on the festival grounds. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025

There also is a rather sketchy guy named The Bear (Jon Bernthal), who owes Charlie for his help during one very trying time in his time at the agency. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025

This period in local history is arguably one of the most trying times for the people who lived in McLeod County and Minnesota as a whole. —Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

And Washington’s offensive line, even after losing Pro Bowl guard Sam Cosmi in the first half to a knee injury, was damn near flawless under the most trying of circumstances. —David Aldridge, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1718, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing trying

• it is not for lack/want of trying
• what are you trying to prove

Rhymes for trying

• buying
• crying
• drying
• dyeing
• dying
• flying
• frying
• lying
• plying
• prying
• shying
• sighing

Kids Definition

trying

adjective

try·​ing

ˈtrī-iŋ

: hard to bear or put up with

these are trying times