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

Deadline can report on Perry’s omission for the first time following reporting restrictions being lifted after the trial concluded on Thursday afternoon. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026 Jorge Menezes, a Portuguese lawyer who practices in Macao, said that the trial was held in secret and that specific details — which organizations were involved and what information Au had provided to them — weren’t revealed. — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 Wilson is seeking economic damages, including medical expenses, wage loss, and loss of earnings capacity, and has requested a trial for the case. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026 They could, however, still be called as witnesses during the trial. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

Teen details horrific ordeal Duarte met the 15-year-old when the girl was taking a stroll with her dog near a pool at the hotel, according to Duarte’s arrest report.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
Shepard and Padman revisited the controversy after their guest of the day, Pluribus star Rhea Seehorn, had already signed off, allowing the actor to delve deep into his feelings about the whole ordeal.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

Lee hesitated when New Orleans Ballet Theatre commissioned the piece in 2016 as a full-company show-closer, giving her a short rehearsal period.

— Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
The global superstar, a member of girl group Blackpink, speaks on the phone from rehearsals.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

The two tests indicate that Pyongyang is working on dispersal warheads for both tactical ballistic missiles and strategic cruise missiles.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
APIs allow researchers to automate prompts, standardize experiments, collect responses and large volumes of data, as well as test models at scale, making results easier to compare and reproduce.

— Katie McQue, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

There’s no sense of effort or craft behind the music itself, and the duo’s latest attempts at iconoclasm feel sneeringly contemptuous.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Harding made seven of his eight attempts to add 12 in the first half and excelled in his role as the team’s floor general as the Horned Frogs shot 53% from the field in the first half and knocked down six 3-pointers.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

Symptoms can include headache, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
However, lead researcher Ferdinand Kuemmeth, an experimental physicist at the University of Regensburg and Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute, argued that the technique solves a looming industrial headache.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of headache

Adjective

Such growth goes to show that UGVs have matured from what was largely an experimental technology to a bulwark of Ukraine’s national defense.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
An experimental drug that held great promise in driving down a dangerous form of cholesterol didn’t show any measurable impact on heart attack or stroke in a clinical trial.

— Erika Edwards, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

The counters will offer visual merchandising, hands-on demonstrations and personalized consultations, including bespoke skin care advice, exclusives and preview launches.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Scientists say this winter could be a preview of California’s coastal future.

— Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026