as in hard
difficult to endure
a harrowing account of the trying conditions experienced by the climbers before they were rescued
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stretching
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
you're trying my patience
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in attempting
to make an effort to do
try to unlock the door will try to call later tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trying
Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
And Washington’s offensive line, even after losing Pro Bowl guard Sam Cosmi in the first half to a knee injury, was damn near flawless under the most trying of circumstances.
—David Aldridge, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Bret Kenwell, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
And that might also be scaring some people off about trying to release a brand-new holiday movie, not based on a piece of IP at this time of year.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for trying
Adjective
This period in local history is arguably one of the most trying times for the people who lived in McLeod County and Minnesota as a whole.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
And Washington’s offensive line, even after losing Pro Bowl guard Sam Cosmi in the first half to a knee injury, was damn near flawless under the most trying of circumstances.
—David Aldridge, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
However, this lumpy performance has been frustrating for investors trying to time the market rather than maintain a constant exposure to small caps.
—Bret Kenwell, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
And that might also be scaring some people off about trying to release a brand-new holiday movie, not based on a piece of IP at this time of year.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
-
Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.—
Max Olsan,
The Arizona Republic,
13 Feb. 2023
Verb
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This year, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is attempting to not only win the Masters but become a grand slam champion.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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His 48-foot birdie putt set off a charge so loud that poor Corey Conners, attempting to speak to reporters a few hundred yards away, had to stop and wait.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Every day, Russia gives new reasons for tougher sanctions and stronger support for our defense.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
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This is a time for doing the tough, often unglamorous job of making the city function for all New Yorkers.—
Scott Stringer,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
With the MacBook Air launching earlier than the iPhone SE and ahead of the next Apple Intelligence update, this points to a press release launch and Apple pushing its consumer laptops further into the background.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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This is not a new development in New Orleans where the Saints have been pushing their costs into the future for years now.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This means going beyond policies and quotas, striving instead for cultural norms where differences are not only accepted but celebrated.—
Mo Hamzian,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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By contrast, the sneaker trends that have defined the latter half of this year–and those forecast for next–suggest many people are striving for anti-mainstream designs.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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His breakthrough role proved to be a history-making one too, securing the part of David, aka Tsotsi, in Gavin Hood’s searing 2005 crime drama Tsotsi.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
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And of all the heartbreak Indiana has caused Knicks fans over the years, this might be the most searing.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
22 May 2025
Verb
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He was forced to leave the game in the final minutes of the Pelicans’ Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers last season after straining his left hamstring.—
William Guillory,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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Le Pen's remarks often sparked public outrage, but his influence shaped France's populist movement, with his inflammatory statements, including Holocaust denial, resulting in multiple convictions and straining his political alliances.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Kilar’s bold moves and harsh comeuppance beg the question: In an age of uncertainty, should Hollywood look to innovative but potentially disruptive outsiders or elevate from within?—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
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From growing up in the streets of Kansas City to serving jail time, Gilliam shared how rapping about his harsh experiences has made fans love him.—
Ramal Nasim,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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