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
Lauren A. White, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
While the easiest way to watch the ceremony is through DirecTV’s trial period, The Hollywood Reporter is further outlining each streaming option ahead.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Feb. 2026
The initiative marks the launch of PolAir-rural, a six-month trial aimed at reshaping how law enforcement monitors and responds to incidents across vast rural distances.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
While Dunk emerged victorious in the trial, the battle was not without bloodshed and deaths, including a shocking one no one saw coming.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trial
Noun
The murder trial of Maxwell Anderson In May 2025, Maxwell Anderson's murder trial began.
—Lauren A. White, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
While the easiest way to watch the ceremony is through DirecTV’s trial period, The Hollywood Reporter is further outlining each streaming option ahead.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Feb. 2026
The initiative marks the launch of PolAir-rural, a six-month trial aimed at reshaping how law enforcement monitors and responds to incidents across vast rural distances.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
While Dunk emerged victorious in the trial, the battle was not without bloodshed and deaths, including a shocking one no one saw coming.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial
Noun
-
According to court records that pieced together the woman’s ordeal, the grandmother and Warren live together in East Contra Costa County.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Because the disease is so rare, with about 200 cases treated each year, the botulism center has become a source of information and connection for families facing the ordeal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During the recent rehearsal, meant to mimic launch day operations, the SLS rocket was loaded with and later drained of more than 700,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the studio, CYE’s first year has been packed with variety-show appearances, photoshoots, fan meets, performance schedules, and now concert rehearsals.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There's also a newer blood test for adults 45 or older.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
-
More than 73% of AP test takers in the district are Black or Hispanic, Coleman added.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Clippers went ahead by four on free throws from Mathurin and Jones, but Murray drove for a dunk and hit a three before drawing the foul by Jones on a last-ditch attempt from beyond the arc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Major industry groups including the American Petroleum Institute have not fought to kill the federal endangerment finding, because a patchwork of state laws could ultimately replace it — leading to legal headaches and a raft of nuisance lawsuits against them, experts said.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Gone are the days of worrying that your vitamins or headache medication accidentally spilled all over the bottom of the bag; this style has two layers of defense.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Francesco Risso, who helmed Marni after Castiglioni’s departure in 2016 through last year, took the brand in a more avant-garde, experimental direction.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The brothers later circled back, sans both Bouvier sisters, to convince the Beales to appear in an experimental film.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
About 70% of the fire survivors in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas are unable to move back into their homes, leaving them paying high rents on temporary housing for more than a year, which has tapped out their savings and placed about half into serious debt.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
When tucked away in drawers or sent to landfills, these devices create hazards like leaking toxins and fire risks from aging batteries.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Anthropic on Friday debuted a new security tool to its Claude model in a limited research preview.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Victor Wembanyama had 21 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks, Devin Vassell scored 28 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Detroit Pistons 114-103 in a potential NBA Finals preview Monday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trial. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
