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

Deadline can report on Perry’s omission for the first time following reporting restrictions being lifted after the trial concluded on Thursday afternoon. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026 Jorge Menezes, a Portuguese lawyer who practices in Macao, said that the trial was held in secret and that specific details — which organizations were involved and what information Au had provided to them — weren’t revealed. — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 Wilson is seeking economic damages, including medical expenses, wage loss, and loss of earnings capacity, and has requested a trial for the case. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026 They could, however, still be called as witnesses during the trial. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

The survivors had yet to speak publicly about their ordeal and had requested privacy, the Australian broadcaster reported.

— CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
The village’s ordeal began in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, when it was occupied.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

The full dress rehearsals were performed twice in late October, drawing spectators along both sides of the river.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2026
In June of 2025, Bob went to Lithuania to stage rehearsals of a new production and then to Ljubljana, Slovenia, to direct Tristan and Isolde.

— Keith McDermott, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

The two tests indicate that Pyongyang is working on dispersal warheads for both tactical ballistic missiles and strategic cruise missiles.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
APIs allow researchers to automate prompts, standardize experiments, collect responses and large volumes of data, as well as test models at scale, making results easier to compare and reproduce.

— Katie McQue, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

There’s no sense of effort or craft behind the music itself, and the duo’s latest attempts at iconoclasm feel sneeringly contemptuous.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Harding made seven of his eight attempts to add 12 in the first half and excelled in his role as the team’s floor general as the Horned Frogs shot 53% from the field in the first half and knocked down six 3-pointers.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

Symptoms can include headache, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
However, lead researcher Ferdinand Kuemmeth, an experimental physicist at the University of Regensburg and Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute, argued that the technique solves a looming industrial headache.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of headache

Adjective

In experimental tests described by the company, the approach completed one task in just under 16 minutes, compared with more than 29 minutes using a conventional approach.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
The album’s experimental bent is also what keeps the music from slipping into parody or, even worse, po-faced sincerity.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

In Palm Beach County, Amendment 3 could mean higher fees for beach parking, water, sewer, police, fire, parks, museums and libraries, and longer response times for emergency services.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Raman has portrayed Bass as a weak and ineffective leader, pointing to her handling of the Palisades fire, the homelessness crisis and the city’s ongoing struggle to deliver basic services.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

The counters will offer visual merchandising, hands-on demonstrations and personalized consultations, including bespoke skin care advice, exclusives and preview launches.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Scientists say this winter could be a preview of California’s coastal future.

— Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026