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

The Los Angeles trial judge was also ordered to resentence the mogul. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Petitioners’ odds of winning or reaching a settlement dropped by 48 percentage points if their cases required a formal trial rather than a judge ruling based on filings and oral arguments. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Wilhelm also outlined phone location data, Apple Watch activity, AirPods connections and a timeline leading up to Flynn's 911 call, which prosecutors are expected to revisit as the trial continues. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Their accounts have not been tested at trial, and Flores has pleaded not guilty. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

The ordeal began when 56-year-old Hawkins placed a mattress against the door of the home to prevent the woman from leaving, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
The ordeal began Sunday after authorities said Spencer threatened people with a gun, rammed a sheriff’s patrol vehicle and fled into the forest.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

Alleigha was the church's main worship leader and performed alongside Flynn, who sang with the worship team during rehearsals and weekend services, Keyt testified.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Outside a rehearsal space in this city ringed by mountains, opera singer Michael Kuhn was practicing fly casting.

— Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

And Eisner, even late in his tenure at Disney, would attend test screenings, read scripts and offer detailed notes on the company’s films.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

Starship’s first real shot at orbit SpaceX is set to launch Starship on its first genuine orbital attempt as soon as Monday morning, lifting off from Starbase, Texas, with 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites aboard.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
The Jaguars scored on the next play to take a 28-3 lead, after which Patriots coach Mike Vrabel could be seen on the sideline with both hands on Maye’s shoulders in an apparent attempt to comfort his quarterback.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

For anyone living in a household where someone snores, wakes up with headaches or drags through the day, Jack Black’s candid podcast conversation about his CPAP machine offers a familiar reference point.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
People infected with typhus typically develop symptoms within one to two weeks, which may include a fever, headache, rash and body aches.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of headache

Adjective

The key test was performed independently on two nominally identical devices, one at EPFL and one at the Weizmann Institute, using separate experimental setups.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
New partnerships with Walmart , Best Buy , Gap and Shopify will expand what Muse can do autonomously, while new smart glasses, virtual-reality glasses and an experimental Muse Charm will give consumers more ways to interact with it.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

For the preview, Preston is using eX-Ray recycled cotton made from pre-consumer factory offcuts and production scraps, along with deadstock fabric from past collections.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
The musical will play the Marquis Theatre with its first preview on March 24, 2027 and an official opening April 20.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026