1
as in ordeals
a test of faith, patience, or strength
living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 trials
In two separate trials in February, juries found both Alyssa O’Neal and Kelsey Stimatze not guilty of two misdemeanor counts.
—
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
While the current devices are still experimental, battlefield trials suggest militaries are continuing to explore wearable robotics to extend soldier endurance and reduce injuries during physically demanding tasks.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Civil trials were due to start later this year.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Other previous trials were already published showing the safety and immunogenicity [of the vaccine].
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Prenuvo has a number of clinical studies and trials in motion.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Chapters alternate between Sam as a boy and as a man, a strategy that allows the reader to be reassured that Sam will survive his childhood trials.
—The Know, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Detainees have very little access to due process — prisoners are often judged in mass trials, and lawyers regularly lose track of their clients.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
More trials are now underway to look at not only GLP-1 receptor agonists but also other gut hormones, including GIP.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
While the current devices are still experimental, battlefield trials suggest militaries are continuing to explore wearable robotics to extend soldier endurance and reduce injuries during physically demanding tasks.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Civil trials were due to start later this year.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Other previous trials were already published showing the safety and immunogenicity [of the vaccine].
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Prenuvo has a number of clinical studies and trials in motion.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Chapters alternate between Sam as a boy and as a man, a strategy that allows the reader to be reassured that Sam will survive his childhood trials.
—The Know, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Detainees have very little access to due process — prisoners are often judged in mass trials, and lawyers regularly lose track of their clients.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
More trials are now underway to look at not only GLP-1 receptor agonists but also other gut hormones, including GIP.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 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
-
The stadium will be ready; as close to 100% as a new stadium can be without rehearsals.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Our rehearsals are a really good environment.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Woods showed signs of impairment, Budensiek said, and did several roadside tests.—
Melissa Gaffney,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Are skills tests making a comeback?—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An outcry five years ago Missouri’s history with Christian boarding schools is why the previous attempts to pass this kind of legislation failed to get any traction.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The 6-foot-10 big man made his first six field-goal attempts and scored 11 points in his first eight minutes of floor time.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This assortment also offers pain relief solutions from head to toe for headaches, bunion support and more, plus wellness hacks from a tongue scraper to compression gear.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to vomiting blood, Chris also has suffered from nose bleeds, headaches, chest pain and weakness.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That evening, residents said fires burned two uninhabited homes that sat on active farm and grazing lands.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Koch and Hansen are mission specialists, responsible for conducting scientific experiments, operating specialized equipment and performing spacewalks.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
After the astronauts conduct a moon walk and a series of scientific experiments, the lander would then transport them back up to Orion, which would make the journey back to Earth, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Johnson was perfect on his opening four tries from beyond the arc.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Los Angeles needed two tries to inbound the ball on their end of the court and that’s when Kennard sunk the triple.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trials. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
