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try

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb try differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of try are attempt, endeavor, essay, and strive. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

When can attempt be used instead of try?

In some situations, the words attempt and try are roughly equivalent. However, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to try?

The synonyms endeavor and try are sometimes interchangeable, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When is essay a more appropriate choice than try?

The words essay and try can be used in similar contexts, but essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When is it sensible to use strive instead of try?

While the synonyms strive and try are close in meaning, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

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 try
Verb
Guests can also try their hand at the stone-lifting Atlas Challenge to win prizes like complimentary drinks and even free admission for a year. Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025 In the wake of the Jazz stunningly slipping to No. 5 in last month’s lottery, Wade tried to offer consolation to Jazz owner Ryan Smith. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
Noun
Founded 15 years ago as a digitally native, direct-to-consumer eyewear retailer, Warby Parker set out to disrupt the $150 billion global optical industry with $95 prescription glasses (and at-home try-ons through the mail). Lauren Parker, Footwear News, 16 June 2025 Wright’s last try — from about 52 yards — was both wide right and a bit short. Joseph Person, New York Times, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for try
Recent Examples of Synonyms for try
Verb
  • The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Kenya's Faith Kipyegon attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes yesterday, but her personal best came up short.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Iran has not publicly rejected the ceasefire but tensions with the U.S. and Israel remain high following a conflict that has stretched over 12 days.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • In short, four prominent celestial objects — the moon, a bright planet and two bright stars — stretched out across a little more than a dozen degrees of the west-northwest sky.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Kenn Ricci, founder of Flexjet, is an executive who strives to embody both while also running a business in one of the more challenging industries to be sustainable in, aviation.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • But improvements on the field are what this group strives for each year.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • That’s great for patients hoping for life-saving treatments, but impossible to push through the existing infrastructure.
    Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Combs' lawyers had pushed for a more expansive response, but prosecutors argued — and Subramanian agreed — that doing so could end up confusing jurors more.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • But a December revolution ended the Assad family’s rule, and the former Islamist militant who leads the new government has sought new investment and trade links, which Gulf states in particular have been quick to offer.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
  • His lawyers argued the prosecution failed to prove the charges against Combs, and the defense sought an acquittal after the prosecution rested.
    July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program said Tuesday that mosquitoes trapped in the state have tested positive for West Nile virus.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025
  • So, this year, instead of testing the Islanders’ connections, Casa Amor is basically giving them all an opportunity to start from scratch.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The governor said rural hospitals — many of which are already strained because of low reimbursements for treating Medicare and Medicaid patients — stand to be financially devastated by further cuts.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
  • But even an increase of around 10% will strain that capacity.
    Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
  • If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/try. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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