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
This case bears 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.
—
Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
In August, a Pennsylvania judge threw out Vedam’s murder conviction in the 1980 death of a college friend, based on ballistics evidence that prosecutors hadn’t disclosed during his two trials.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Tens of thousands marched in Kosovo on independence day, protesting war crimes trials of former rebel leaders, including ex-President Hashim Thaci.
—Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Polarized political climate This year’s legislative session comes after a year of major trials for Minnesota.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
Among the trials of old age, being considered adorable is surely a minor one.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
According to Isabelle Blanchot, the Chief Revenue Officer of Enchanted Tools, the company behind Mirokai, the robot is also being tested beyond elder care, including trials in hospital settings designed to support children undergoing cancer treatment.
—Itay Hod, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.
—Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
In animal trials, this new electrode reportedly outperformed standard metal versions, with signal stability metrics improving by several hundredfold.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
In August, a Pennsylvania judge threw out Vedam’s murder conviction in the 1980 death of a college friend, based on ballistics evidence that prosecutors hadn’t disclosed during his two trials.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Tens of thousands marched in Kosovo on independence day, protesting war crimes trials of former rebel leaders, including ex-President Hashim Thaci.
—Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Polarized political climate This year’s legislative session comes after a year of major trials for Minnesota.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
Among the trials of old age, being considered adorable is surely a minor one.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
According to Isabelle Blanchot, the Chief Revenue Officer of Enchanted Tools, the company behind Mirokai, the robot is also being tested beyond elder care, including trials in hospital settings designed to support children undergoing cancer treatment.
—Itay Hod, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.
—Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
In animal trials, this new electrode reportedly outperformed standard metal versions, with signal stability metrics improving by several hundredfold.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 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
-
Lance’s way of dealing with rehearsals and the shooting was very accurate.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Then, there’s a tech period of 12 hours for two to three weeks, followed by more rehearsals during the day and preview performances at night that would get her home around one in the morning.—
Leigh Scheps,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The new sunscreen achieved an SPF rating of 30 and – without the clumping particles – was visibly less whiter, as confirmed by an array of color science metric tests the team conducted.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Matrix has already completed successful flight tests near Shanghai, bringing real size and real ambition to an industry still dominated by small prototypes.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Dons went to the charity stripe 35 times to 18 free throw attempts for USD.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
There have been a few attempts over the years to update Wuthering Heights into hip-to-the-moment, teen-friendly versions.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That would create major headaches and cause even more travel disruptions than occur.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Airbags and seatbelts help, but people may still end up with lingering pain, limited movement, or headaches.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Authorities in Minnesota are investigating two more fatal house fires after an initial deadly blaze last weekend.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Carvalho discussed the event’s main goal, to mark a year since the beginning of recovery from the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires in January of 2025.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Prisoners endured frequent selections, some by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, known for his gruesome experiments on camp inmates.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The crew will spend eight months conducting experiments to prepare for human exploration beyond Earth's orbit.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Jayhawks, led by White’s five 3’s in seven tries, went 12-of-24 from 3 to ISU’s 9-of-27.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Cowens and the other four judges – NBA greats Cazzie Russell and Satch Sanders, as well as Roger Staubach and Martina Navratilova – gave Dominique and Spud perfect 50s on their first tries.—
Kevin Sherrington
Feb. 10,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trials. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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