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

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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

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as in attempt

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

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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

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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

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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

Her trial began on July 20, 2026 Lindsay Clancy is currently on trial for the alleged murder of her three young children, Cora, Dawson and Callan. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Las Vegas Review-journal/TNS Three decades, two dozen witnesses and weeks of sensational and fiery testimony later, closing arguments are set to begin Monday in the trial for the only person ever charged with the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur. — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Had Roden been found guilty of murder at trial, a jury or judge would have considered a prison term of five to 99 years, or life. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026 BioNTech’s neoantigen mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine phase 2 trial in the metastatic setting in melanoma failed to achieve its primary endpoints in melanoma. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

There were long lines at gas pumps, turning each fill-up into an ordeal.

— Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
McCoy has transformed his ordeal into a testimonial on faith and the power of prayer.

— Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

Because of his unique working methods, Herzog typically plans for a long series of rehearsals before production begins.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Last week, the Aperture singer logged several miles on his walk to his final rehearsal for his 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

West Nile symptoms A full 80% of those infected may not show symptoms, but 20% have flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, rash or fatigue.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
Cole Burston / Getty Images With so many clubs still in the mix, even scoreboard watching can induce a headache.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of headache

Adjective

But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

The Plaskett fire was 8,241 acres as of Sunday morning — up from about 6,000 acres Saturday morning — and only 1% contained.

— Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
This includes campfires, warming fires and charcoal barbecues, the park said, directing visitors to its Fire Information webpage.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

The intense storm activity in the Pacific this summer may be a preview of what’s to come.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
While Sipe has been performing for decades, another at the preview event was preparing to make his festival debut.

— Rashad Alexander August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026