TRIES Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

tries 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of try

as in stretches

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress you're trying my patience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in attempts

to make an effort to do try to unlock the door will try to call later tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tries

2 of 2

noun

plural of try

as in goes

an effort to do or accomplish something was granted another try at the field goal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 tries

Verb

Queen Rhaenyra the Ugly After being warned that Helaena continues to refuse to eat, Rhaenyra tries to plead with her half-sister. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The Sparks beat the Lynx for the first time in three tries this season. — CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Nicole Kidman Fallon created a skit called Box of Lies, in which each person tries to convince the other person what is in a mystery box. — Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 The Sparks, who traded All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to Phoenix last weekend, beat the Lynx for the first time in three tries this season. — Staff, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 Let curiosity open the door before intensity tries to kick it down. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 From there, the episode’s mommy-issues plot thickens as the real Alicent does show up at Harrenhal and Alys tries (and fails) to convince Aemond his mother is not there to help him. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 Maybe a mother tries to assassinate her one-eyed son with a cup of poison tea. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 So, naturally, Thorne tries to have the bean counter killed, and Batman (Hamish Linklater) tries to save him. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026

Noun

After six tries, the 45-year-old right-hander got his 246th victory and finally broke the tie with Nicaragua’s Dennis Martinez. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 Mason Montgomery pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save in five tries. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 The demo kept loading or didn’t work at all across multiple tries. — Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Installation of the first transatlantic cable was completed after multiple tries. — USA Today, 21 July 2026 His specialty was retakers, the ones who had not passed on their first or second tries. — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tries

Verb

James' decision to run for governor left open his seat in the 10th District, which includes a portion of Oakland County and stretches across conservative communities in Macomb County.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Pick a word that stretches you rather than one that flatters you.

— Rick Tollakson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of stretches

Verb

A little further south on Amsterdam is the pharmacy where Owen goes into the bathroom and unsuccessfully attempts to turn rubber gloves into a condom.

— Alex Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
Doors and windows are rendered unopenable by some outside force; attempts to break the glass prove likewise futile.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempts

Verb

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out fracking in a key basin, citing danger to nearby water tables and indigenous communities — a move that highlights her political balancing act as the country strives to wean off US energy.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Kaitlyn means a great deal to Joe, and what Kaitlyn stands for is what Joe strives to stand for.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of strives

Verb

His departure and Hassabis' new position raise questions about Google's ability to be an AI leader, particularly as booming growth in its cloud unit tests its commitment to frontier AI.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
The contest between Bush and Bell tests how much the Democratic Party has shifted over the past two years.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of tests

Verb

The suit seeks financial compensation and wants Congress to divest US aid from the Israeli military units involved in the destruction.

— Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Rodriguez returns after a 15-month layoff and hand surgery, aiming to re-enter the title picture against Silva, who seeks a second win this year to secure a title shot.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026