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
After preclinical trials, there’s a human trial that’s smaller than the ones required for drugs, followed by a feasibility trial to confirm the device works as intended.
—
Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
These trials have been compared to those brought against ‘Big Tobacco’ in the 1990s, and experts have said these cases could have long-lasting implications on regulation and public perception of these companies.
—Stephen Desaulniers,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in healthcare costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.
—Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Initial sea trials followed days later.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
These trials have been compared to those brought against ‘Big Tobacco’ in the 1990s, and experts have said these cases could have long-lasting implications on regulation and public perception of these companies.
—Stephen Desaulniers,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in healthcare costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.
—Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Initial sea trials followed days later.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 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
-
Except, when the rehearsals start in earnest and boys enter the duo’s orbit in after-school adventures, their already off-balance dual existence and sneaky one-upmanship worsens.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Johannes insists on sitting in on the rehearsals for the next leg of the tour.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Robotic tests showed that the material can work in real machines.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Jan. 2026
-
On January 13, she was told that tests were showing worrying fetal activity.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Santos let 13 shot attempts fly, including 1-of-6 from behind the arc.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Bane specifically has seen a decrease in long-range accuracy and number of open attempts as well, something Carter mentioned.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But in the weeks leading up to Christmas of 2021, Avery started getting headaches.—
Isabella Backman,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
-
No headaches, no residual or negative effects from the accident.—
Will Rice,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
By year’s end, some 9,917 fires scorched more than four million acres, accelerating flash floods and mudflow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Shortly after the fires, the federal government suddenly refused to adhere to California’s decades-old post-fire soil-testing policy; California later considered following suit.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Did the dates and times printed on these sleepy flyers arrive at some juncture somewhere in the world, and did children really congregate to do science experiments?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Psychologists doing research can use these AI personas to perform scientific experiments about the efficacy of mental health methodologies and approaches.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The wings and mac and cheese bars are both must-tries—best paired with a cold beer.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Kentucky shot 32% from the floor, making only 5 of 29 three-point tries.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trials. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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