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
Katherine Jackson was always seen as the person there supporting him through those trials.
—
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
These advancements will prepare the three ports for green fuel trials in the next phase of their partnership.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
The trials are scheduled to run until 2028, which suggests that travelers flying into or out of Tokyo may spot some of the robots at work.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Yoon faces a slew of criminal trials related to his martial law debacle and other scandals.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
After cameras returned to many courtrooms in the 1980s, some of the most controversial instances of checkbook journalism arose from competition in coverage of sensational criminal trials.
—Lorna Veraldi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The effort builds on earlier trials conducted by the French and German air forces, including drone-release testing and aerodynamic studies.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
There are six pancreatic cancer trials open at UNC, including some based on research done there.
—Eva Flowe
april 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
On several occasions in recent years, the UAE has rounded up large groups of people and accused them of terrorist offenses; their trials have been criticized by human rights groups over unfair processes and convictions.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
These advancements will prepare the three ports for green fuel trials in the next phase of their partnership.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
The trials are scheduled to run until 2028, which suggests that travelers flying into or out of Tokyo may spot some of the robots at work.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Yoon faces a slew of criminal trials related to his martial law debacle and other scandals.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
After cameras returned to many courtrooms in the 1980s, some of the most controversial instances of checkbook journalism arose from competition in coverage of sensational criminal trials.
—Lorna Veraldi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The effort builds on earlier trials conducted by the French and German air forces, including drone-release testing and aerodynamic studies.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
There are six pancreatic cancer trials open at UNC, including some based on research done there.
—Eva Flowe
april 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
On several occasions in recent years, the UAE has rounded up large groups of people and accused them of terrorist offenses; their trials have been criticized by human rights groups over unfair processes and convictions.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trials
Noun
-
Can Arsenal survive four more ordeals?—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Others have also turned their personal ordeals into stories of inspiration.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Training to Be Ellie Houston The performance has been months in the making, with Ellie deep in rehearsals and training to get her stamina half-time ready.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
-
Tomorrow’s event marks Russia’s defeat of Nazi Germany, and usually involves months of rehearsals and a huge military parade.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Parkinson on Friday revealed that the soil tests were positive for remains.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Success at tests like puzzles and mazes, which appeared to Washburn to be the result of reasoning, or insight—observation and detection—Thorndike insisted was instead merely the result of blundering, repetition, and trial and error.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
And of course Mike Brown pulled Mitchell Robinson, who missed four straight free throws when the 76ers began intentionally fouling him in the first quarter, only to continue extending the lead despite the Sixers’ attempts at stifling his rotation.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
The Magic scored only 19 second-half points, the fewest for any half in playoff history, and made only one of their 20 fourth-quarter shot attempts.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The real story behind one of Texas’ biggest wildlife headaches starts with a decision the state made on purpose.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Some journalists draw a line between the government's mounting headaches and its escalating attacks on the messengers of that news.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bass reportedly earned the endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris recently; the support comes for a mayor who has long been scrutinized for her handling of the Los Angeles fires in January 2025, including by fellow mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
As more lithium-ion batteries are deployed, some failures are inevitable, whether from defects or operational errors, which leads to fires.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2023, using a combination of experiments and mathematical modeling, Schramma and Jalaal reported that Elodea cells occupy a critical point at such a transition.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
4 May 2026
-
By targeting a gene central to the molecular dysfunction and creating a novel system to deliver functional genetic instructions, High, Bennett and Maguire were able to move their therapy from the lab to experiments in dogs and finally to clinical trials in humans.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame another valiant Lakers charge Thursday night to win their second game in two tries in the Western Conference semifinals at Paycom Center.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
England have comfortably beaten Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, the latter by running in 12 tries in an 84-7 victory, and after facing Italy this weekend, will travel to France for a likely Grand Slam decider on May 17.—
George Ramsay,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trials. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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