1
as in ordeal
a test of faith, patience, or strength
living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
3
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
4
5
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
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
Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Most of the key moments in the trial had swung toward the defense.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Feb. 2026
Under this new system, there is no need for police officers, evidence, warrants, trials, judges or juries.
—Hiba Rahim, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Streaming options for those without a cable login include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirectTV Stream, Sling TV, and FuboTV, many of which come with free-trial periods.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trial
Noun
Democrats wringing their hands and making appeals to process while the President sends people to Salvadoran prisons without trial are unfit to meet the moment, this theory says.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Most of the key moments in the trial had swung toward the defense.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Feb. 2026
Under this new system, there is no need for police officers, evidence, warrants, trials, judges or juries.
—Hiba Rahim, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Streaming options for those without a cable login include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirectTV Stream, Sling TV, and FuboTV, many of which come with free-trial periods.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial
Noun
-
He was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal and published a memoir about the ordeal.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Yes, gulping the liquid the night before was an ordeal — try drinking three liters of anything in three hours, going to sleep, then waking up six hours later for one final liter.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Back in November when the Grammy nominations came out, Ryan was in the middle of rehearsal for an opera in New York when Heggie texted him a screenshot of the Grammy website.—
Adam Bell,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
That day, she was meant to be at rehearsal, preparing to return to the stage with Danity Kane, the band Combs himself formed in 2005 on the reality series Making the Band.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Parents and neighbors submitted to polygraph tests.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Google announced plans in November to test orbital AI data centers by launching two test satellites as early as next year.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Russia's daily bombardment of civilian areas behind the roughly 600-mile front line has continued despite international condemnation and attempts to end the fighting.—
AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Previous attempts at a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine have all failed to hold.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Think peachy-bright, brunchy, and a little flirty without the headache.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sonny Fouts, 71, has had a headache, stomachache and trouble sleeping since seeing news reports that the 37-year-old ICU nurse had been fatally shot by ICE agents Saturday, the vet and retired musician told People.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
To keep the neurosphere running at peak efficiency, the team has streamlined its experimental process to produce new organoids, monitor existing ones 24/7, and maintain electrical stimulations.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Lilly has also started new studies of brenipatide — an experimental drug that mimics the same hormones as Zepbound — in tobacco use disorder, bipolar disorder and asthma.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Measures to promote diversity and inclusion have come under fire in the past year.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Crews were at the home within five minutes and encountered fire venting from multiple windows and extending toward the second floor, fire officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While campaigning for these changes, Erdoğan offered a preview of his reign as executive president.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Super Bowl preview with two special guests.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trial. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
