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

The French defense procurement agency, Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), announced that AndroMach completed a campaign of 21 engine ignitions at a government test facility, with the engine remaining reusable after the trials. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026 At the preliminary hearing in April 2025, Superior Court Judge Diego Edber found sufficient evidence to allow the case against Bohm to proceed to trial. — City News Service, Daily News, 27 July 2026 With a hearing looming next week on a preliminary injunction, Paramount agreed Friday to go directly to trial instead. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 July 2026 Follow-on clinical research building on the 2020 spicule-plus-exosome photoaging study, extending results beyond mouse models into human trials. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

In a later video, the passenger who filmed the ordeal then goes to guest services to explain the issue and express her concerns.

— Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
The eruption unfolded in five phases over about 24 hours, a harrowing, cumulative ordeal for unsuspecting residents.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

During the rehearsal, Pritchard was sometimes brusque with Hamilton, correcting her form with his feet and insisting on certain steps.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
As Mars’s gravity slung the spacecraft onto the next leg of its journey, mission scientists used the opportunity to put its multispectral imager through a full dress rehearsal.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 21 July 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

The agent, which was powered by some of OpenAI’s most advanced models, ran amok during a security test.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 22 July 2026
This great, once improbable, step into the unknown has the potential to bring tests against Milan, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, and nights like never before at the Stadium of Light.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of test

Noun

The new district snakes up through Kansas City’s urban core, in an attempt to create a district more favorable for Republicans in the 5th District.

— Jack Harvel July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
The new scheme is the latest in a series of attempts by officials to lure back tourists.

— Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

The fever and the less intense strain often presents as a headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea, and fatigue.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
For some its allergies or other upper respiratory issues; for others too much of an aroma causes a headache or worse.

— R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 July 2026

Definition of headache

Adjective

Across their four albums, the group has cultivated a rabid fan base dedicated to their brand of experimental rock.

— Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
The brand has released a number of limited and premium whiskeys over the years, including Bulleit 10 Year, barrel-strength expressions and experimental releases.

— Emily Price, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

Temperatures are set to soar in France and Spain this week as the continent heads into its fourth heat wave of the summer, and there is no rain forecast to relieve the tinder-dry conditions fuelling the fires.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
It was reported to be the first time that the Navy’s Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) manufactured by BlackSea Technologies was used in a live-fire exercise.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

Photographed during a fashion and luxury goods auction preview at Sotheby’s on July 03, 2025 in Paris, France.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
In the first preview for her new horror movie The Other Mommy, the actress debuted her darkest hair color in months, plus a set of blunt bangs.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 July 2026