TRIAL AND ERROR Synonyms: 18 Similar Words

trial and error

noun

Definition of trial and error

as in test

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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 and error Over two decades of trial and error, Nocera figured out how to re-create photosynthesis, the process by which plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to create energy. — Abraham Swee, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Pappas called it a trial and error process, because there’s a learning curve involved to determine how grass reacts to a new environment. — John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 In their first season of managing Ohtani as a full-season two-way player, there was always going to be some trial and error. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 In reinforcement learning, an AI model learns, by trial and error, to maximize a reward that the person training the model establishes. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial and error

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial and error

Noun

In July, Reeves shared a brief clip of test footage of the upcoming film, which included the first proper look at Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne in a new Batsuit as what appears to be snow falls around him.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
The trial provided no evidence that this test will reduce cancer deaths by 25%.

— H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

The sound of the music was one thing—even when Stereolab were at their loungiest or Stars of the Lid were including the key in which a song was composed in its title, there was something like the faintest air of rock music in their experiments.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
The experiment showed that the 3D field could create electron states that conventional light fields cannot readily produce.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of experiment

Noun

Scary movies, by nature, demand room for experimentation that can draw out all kinds of different audiences.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026
Defensive experimentation holds Florida’s run game hostage With the absence of defensive ends Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen, Mizzou used a four-man front with three defensive tackles to combat Florida’s dynamic rushing attack.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of experimentation

Noun

The measure would end the twice-yearly practice of changing clocks observed across most of the nation since the 1960s.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Their bye week consisted of wild-card watch parties, batting practice, live pitching — from a long list of arms on Wednesday, especially — and an open workout Thursday that culminated in a scrimmage.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

The dance facilities will include a 100-seat theater for dance and four professional-size studios for dance instruction and rehearsal.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
These two took a trip to New York City for rehearsals this week, since Guillermo is there for his day job.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

China has deployed troops alongside Russian forces for a large multinational military exercise that Moscow says incorporates lessons from the war in Ukraine, including the growing role of drones, electronic warfare and unmanned ground systems.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
To hold adults forever responsible for their words — not actions — as teenagers is an exercise in cruelty.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of exercise

Noun

When the trial ended, the country gladly went back to DST in the summers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
After a 2021 trial, Silver ruled against the state, issuing an injunction that required corrections authorities to address the constitutional violations.

— Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of trial

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trial and error

trial and errors

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“Trial and error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trial%20and%20error. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of trial and error

noun

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