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

Reynor plays Gerry Leone, the lead prosecutor in the show’s central trial. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

As the first trial wound down, Solages’ lawyer, Jonathan Friedman, sought to call Thompson as a witness on his behalf. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Piotr Swat | Lightrocket | Getty Images On Friday, BioMarin announced five-year data from a Phase 3 trial for the drugs Pombiliti and Opfolda to treat late-onset Pompe disease, or LOPD. — Anna Rodin, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

The trial continues Friday afternoon and is expected to last for eight weeks. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026