1
as in ordeals
a test of faith, patience, or strength
living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rehearsals
a private performance or session in preparation for a public appearance
ran another trial of the aerial performance before opening night
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tests
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
4
as in attempts
an effort to do or accomplish something
will rest and make another trial at climbing the mountain
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in headaches
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trials
While China has its 75-meter test tower, Caltech successfully beamed power in orbit, and Japan continues its own active transmission trials.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
This case bore close similarities to the trials of James and Jennifer Crumbley, whose then-15-year-old son killed four students in 2021 at his high school in Oxford, Michigan.
—Maxime Tamsett, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Jennifer and James Crumbley were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in separate trials after prosecutors presented evidence of an unsecured gun at their home and their indifference toward their son's mental health.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Circulose and Spinnova said their 2023 trials, which spun Circulose pulp into fiber for yarn and fabric, already proved the two technologies mesh well.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Other trials are exploring ways to cure HIV by genetically editing immune cells.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2026
Researchers from West China Hospital of Sichuan University in China examined 10 medical trials with 124,837 participants.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
The trials ranged from people jumping as high as possible 10-20 times, twice a day, to participants jumping for 20-30 minutes per session three times a week.
—Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 3 Mar. 2026
Of course, Lilly faces competition in the obesity market from other drugmakers, including Amgen, which has a once-monthly injectable in several late-stage trials — though the two furthest along are expected to be completed next spring .
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
This case bore close similarities to the trials of James and Jennifer Crumbley, whose then-15-year-old son killed four students in 2021 at his high school in Oxford, Michigan.
—Maxime Tamsett, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Jennifer and James Crumbley were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in separate trials after prosecutors presented evidence of an unsecured gun at their home and their indifference toward their son's mental health.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Circulose and Spinnova said their 2023 trials, which spun Circulose pulp into fiber for yarn and fabric, already proved the two technologies mesh well.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Other trials are exploring ways to cure HIV by genetically editing immune cells.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2026
Researchers from West China Hospital of Sichuan University in China examined 10 medical trials with 124,837 participants.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
The trials ranged from people jumping as high as possible 10-20 times, twice a day, to participants jumping for 20-30 minutes per session three times a week.
—Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 3 Mar. 2026
Of course, Lilly faces competition in the obesity market from other drugmakers, including Amgen, which has a once-monthly injectable in several late-stage trials — though the two furthest along are expected to be completed next spring .
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trials
Noun
-
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The feature-length documentary includes home videos of McCartney, wife Linda and their children on the family farm in Scotland, footage of early Wings rehearsals and archival photos taken by Linda McCartney – and footage of the other Beatles.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
-
North Korea has long described the allies ’ joint exercises as invasion rehearsals and used them as a pretext to dial up its own military demonstrations and weapons testing activity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their use comes just three months after their first notable field tests.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
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Clinicians have other testing options, too, including glucose tolerance tests and random blood sugar measurements.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gonzales was struggling to hold his 23rd District even before the scandal, barely beating 2nd Amendment activist and content creator Brandon Herrera in 2024; Herrera is running again, along with Quico Canseco, a one-term congressman who’s made multiple comeback attempts.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The tone and content of the materials described and submitted to the Interior Department by park managers vary widely, reflecting a mix of careful attempts to obey administration orders, confusion about what might violate them and, at times, apparent skepticism about the entire endeavor.—
Karin Brulliard,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the majority now rejects apps and the communication hassles and technology headaches that come with them.—
Diana Budds,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The headaches opening outside New York City are considerably less, and goes beyond more generous margins.—
Andrea Strong,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While each transition had been seen independently in past experiments, researchers had never captured both in succession, completing the theoretical picture.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers are allowed to open and handle display samples in air if their experiments necessitate it.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Related Stories The seven returning to the ballot after previous tries at getting elected are the Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis and Sade.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
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Which, trust me, does take a few tries to get right.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trials. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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