TRIAL Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

trial 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrī(-ə)l

Definition of trial

as in ordeal

a test of faith, patience, or strength living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in rehearsal

a private performance or session in preparation for a public appearance ran another trial of the aerial performance before opening night

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in test

a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty trials by medical researchers haven't determined whether the medication is safe or not

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something will rest and make another trial at climbing the mountain

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation trying to have a coherent phone conversation with his senile father was always a trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trial

2 of 2

adjective

as in experimental

made or done as an experiment a trial medical procedure that should be considered only after all other options have been exhausted

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of trial

Noun

She was initially also charged with three counts of strangulation, but prosecutors dropped them prior to the start of the trial in July. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 The new story digs into the lobbying efforts and behind-the-scenes maneuvering that preceded Live Nation’s surprise settlement with the DOJ in early March, just one week into the company’s federal antitrust trial. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026 The Lindsay Clancy trial resumes Monday in Plymouth Superior Court with a forensic psychiatrist expected back on the stand as testimony winds down in the Massachusetts murder case. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Still, Bank of America outlined several reasons investors should be careful about extrapolating a worst-case scenario from the California trial. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

Hushcha and Novak now plan to turn part of the ordeal into an exhibition.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Parents, siblings and upperclassmen volunteers, if the school offers them, can turn a three-hour ordeal into a 90-minute one.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

Washington and Seoul say their drills are defensive in nature, but North Korea calls them an invasion rehearsal and often reacts with weapons tests.

— Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Baum und Pferdgarten’s collection was inspired by what dancers wear offstage between rehearsals and classes.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

After Keira Barry’s free kick attempt hit off the post, Girelli broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, finishing the rebound for the winner.

— Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
The San Diego native has started all 24 of UCLA’s games during his two seasons in Westwood, nailing 36 of his 44 field-goal attempts, including five out his nine attempts from at least 50 yards.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

These include a severe or persistent headache, changes in vision such as blurred vision or seeing spots, pain in the upper abdomen, significant swelling of the face or hands, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting later in pregnancy.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
But in some cases, West Nile can reach the brain and cause extreme headaches, meningitis, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of headache

Adjective

Crucially, the experiment revealed that while design software is free, the significant expense and bottleneck now lie in the physical synthesis and experimental validation of proteins, underscoring the scarcity of wet-lab capacity.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
The tome is a more experimental offering than traditional fiction, and relies heavily on the conflicting narration from commenters and Agnes’ internal dialogue.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

Officials initially responded Saturday morning to a 911 call about a vehicle fire in unincorporated Washington County, outside the city of Forest Grove.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
The blaze was quickly upgraded to a third-alarm fire, which is classified as a major emergency that requires a high level of response.

— Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

The sale officially runs from August 20 through September 3, following a three-day preview beginning August 17.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Featured in the streetwear brand’s fall ’26 preview is the Supreme x Timberland Diamond Plate 6-Inch premium waterproof boot in familiar wheat and black styles.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026