testing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈte-stiŋ How to pronounce testing (audio)
Definition of testingnext
as in challenging
requiring considerable physical or mental effort beginning rock climbers should choose a less testing route to the summit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

testing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of test
1
as in sampling
to put (something) to a test please test this sample for the presence of lead

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in trying
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress all of these unnecessary questions are testing my patience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 testing
Adjective
So a review of the principles and record of means-testing social programs is warranted. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2021 The debate among Democrats has cut across typical ideological lines, with centrist and moderate Democrats lining up in favor and against means-testing elements of the bill. — Andrew Duehren, WSJ, 12 Oct. 2021
Verb
Ikenna Mokwe rejected a pilot deal that required him to surrender his idea, while Wonder Studios, Phantom X, Promise, Woven and CapCut are testing different models for ownership, production and distribution. — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Walmart, Wendy’s, and Amazon are some of the big names testing or operating the service. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for testing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for testing
  1. challenging
  2. sampling
  3. trying
  4. difficult
  5. examining
  6. stretching
  7. rigorous
  8. pushing
Adjective
  • In April, DeepSeek rolled out previews of its latest V4 model, challenging OpenAI’s GPT and Google’s Gemini.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • As a business owner, Maloney says, the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of the job is making all the decisions and solving every problem.
    — Claire Hall, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
Definition of challenging
Verb
  • The pitch-shifting and sampling sound crude and unglamorous, pretty clearly the result of the producer loading up fragments and mashing buttons at will, as though literally taking his frustration out on himself.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
  • Microneedle patches that replace biopsies and blood draws Researchers at MIT and collaborating institutions have developed tiny microneedle patches capable of sampling immune cells directly from the skin.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026
Definition of sampling
Verb
  • The World World Web was invented by a scientist at CERN who was trying to share data between different institutions.
    — Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • The metatext here is that Cohen is also trying to fit her persona inside the particular demands of a specific burgeoning type of comedy-theater solo show.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Definition of trying
Adjective
  • Strickland said even getting equipment on the road during construction can be difficult for farmers.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 July 2026
  • While following the money may be difficult, there are other signs of the growing role of organized crime in politics.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Verb
  • Sheinbaum has said that little evidence has emerged to substantiate claims of cartels interfering with elections, and noted that a state-level electoral tribunal ratified Rocha’s win in Sinaloa, after examining reports of irregularities.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The annual judging is done by examining the photos of the works, given that the medium, blackboards, can’t be moved easily.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of examining
Verb
  • The attacks targeted Kyiv and nine other regions, the president said, stretching from Lviv in the country's west and its border with Poland to Sumy and Kharkiv in the northeast of the country, close to the border with Russia.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • The impending impact, scientists say, offers a chance to analyze the crater and plume of dust stretching several miles above the surface.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of stretching
Adjective
  • Then again, allowing American companies to sell BPC-157 for human use could create the impression that the peptide, which hasn’t passed through the rigorous process the FDA uses to approve new drugs, nonetheless has the agency’s blessing.
    — Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • Hydrogen requires specialized storage systems, dedicated airport infrastructure, and rigorous safety standards.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
Definition of rigorous
Verb
  • Nvidia’s chips are essential to AI data centers, pushing its business to stratospheric heights.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Chawinga is busy pushing Black excellence for her own country, Malawi, by leading the nation’s women’s soccer team in its Women’s Africa Cup of Nations debut.
    — PJ Green July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of pushing

Browse Nearby Words

testiness
testing
test pilot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Testing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/testing. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on testing

Nglish: Translation of testing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about testing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All