Synonyms of trial

trial 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrī(-ə)l 

1

as in ordeal

a test of faith, patience, or strength

living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ordeal
• fire
• gauntlet
• cross
• crucible
• initiation
• baptism of fire
• tribulation
• challenge
• baptism
• misfortune
• tragedy
• hardship
• adversity
• grievance
• trouble
• misadventure
• mishap
• grief
• privation
• woe
• difficulty
• inconvenience
• complication
• vicissitude
• discomfort
• nuisance
• affliction
• litmus test
• acid test
• mischance
• rigor
• asperity
• annoyance

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

• rehearsal
• preview
• practice
• dry run
• dress rehearsal
• walk-through
• exercise
• run-through
• drill

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

• test
• experiment
• experimentation
• try
• essay
• effort
• trial and error
• ordeal
• practice
• rehearsal
• attempt
• workout
• exercise
• crucible
• tryout
• dry run
• shakedown

4

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something

will rest and make another trial at climbing the mountain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attempt
• try
• endeavor
• bid
• shot
• go
• stab
• offer
• assay
• essay
• pass
• crack
• struggle
• fling
• undertaking
• bash
• whirl
• whack
• trial and error
• striving
• throes

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

• headache
• thorn
• nuisance
• frustration
• problem
• worry
• inconvenience
• irritant
• annoyance
• hair shirt
• rub
• aggravation
• exasperation
• pest
• vexation
• bugbear
• irk
• insult
• ruffle
• peeve
• menace
• bother
• hassle
• tribulation
• discomfort
• burden
• trouble
• predicament
• aggro
• botheration
• offender
• curse
• anxiety
• plague
• affront
• pinprick
• cross
• offense
• upset
• plight
• albatross
• millstone
• disturber
• sore
• fleabite
• pet peeve
• harasser
• annoyer
• mischief
• affliction
• hang-up
• pandora's box

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

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

• experimental
• investigative
• developmental
• preliminary
• pilot
• preparatory
• hypothetical
• temporary
• exploratory
• speculative
• probative
• theoretical
• tentative
• provisional
• conjectural
• untried
• unproven
• unproved
• untested

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• standard
• accepted
• established
• advanced
• final
• developed
• tested
• permanent
• tried
• proved
• conclusive
• decisive
• definitive
• proven

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of trial

Noun

The goal is to learn more about diseases and improve the success of clinical drug trials, something Simo says would be nearly impossible without AI. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Six defendants pleaded guilty, but three chose to go to trial, including Jac Archer and Bajun Mavalwalla II. — Meg Anderson, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

An antitrust challenge of the companies’ planned $110 billion merger by the attorneys general of 12 states along with the Writers Guild of America has put the deal on hold, with a judge soon to set a trial date. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

The trial will resume Monday morning at Plymouth County Superior Court. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2026