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

She was initially also charged with three counts of strangulation, but prosecutors dropped them prior to the start of the trial in July. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 The new story digs into the lobbying efforts and behind-the-scenes maneuvering that preceded Live Nation’s surprise settlement with the DOJ in early March, just one week into the company’s federal antitrust trial. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026 The Lindsay Clancy trial resumes Monday in Plymouth Superior Court with a forensic psychiatrist expected back on the stand as testimony winds down in the Massachusetts murder case. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Still, Bank of America outlined several reasons investors should be careful about extrapolating a worst-case scenario from the California trial. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

Philipps has come out of the six-month ordeal feeling nothing but gratitude.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Within a week, Cano was in Wilson’s office, describing her ordeal.

— Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

Each animal then underwent a battery of tests to study their pain sensitivity, anxiety-like symptoms, gut microbes, metabolites, and neuroinflammation.

— Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
The Global Times also reported that a separate library shelving event challenged robots to collect book returns and put them in the correct place as a test of visual recognition and reasoning.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

After Keira Barry’s free kick attempt hit off the post, Girelli broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, finishing the rebound for the winner.

— Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
The San Diego native has started all 24 of UCLA’s games during his two seasons in Westwood, nailing 36 of his 44 field-goal attempts, including five out his nine attempts from at least 50 yards.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempt

Adjective

Crucially, the experiment revealed that while design software is free, the significant expense and bottleneck now lie in the physical synthesis and experimental validation of proteins, underscoring the scarcity of wet-lab capacity.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
The tome is a more experimental offering than traditional fiction, and relies heavily on the conflicting narration from commenters and Agnes’ internal dialogue.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

Officials initially responded Saturday morning to a 911 call about a vehicle fire in unincorporated Washington County, outside the city of Forest Grove.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
The blaze was quickly upgraded to a third-alarm fire, which is classified as a major emergency that requires a high level of response.

— Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

The Manchester City documentary offered an insightful preview of this summer, one in which Arsenal are the only top-six club not to have changed manager since the start of last season.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
These leaks, which include several maps, video from a gas station and a car wash, come just days before the game is set to have an exclusive preview on Netflix.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026