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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of trying
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
But agricultural leaders see this year as one of the industry’s most trying periods, beset by economic and political factors that could significantly reduce production.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Andy Mitten, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Williams was fined $11,593 for unnecessary roughness (away from the play) for grabbing hold of Smith’s and trying to wrestle him to the ground.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trying
Adjective
Jax is in the middle of his most trying experience since his rookie season.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
But agricultural leaders see this year as one of the industry’s most trying periods, beset by economic and political factors that could significantly reduce production.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Verb
Plunkett is trying to make the best of a bad situation.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Williams was fined $11,593 for unnecessary roughness (away from the play) for grabbing hold of Smith’s and trying to wrestle him to the ground.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
-
Developed by scientists at TU Delft, the algorithm can help perform tasks at hard-to-reach infrastructure, like offshore wind turbines.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Creatures crawling out of gunk, their legs extending, their toe-webs rescinding, amoebic eyes getting harder.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Guests mingled and dined at long, stretching tables lined with plum calla lilies and small golden lamps.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Zelenskyy said attacks were reported in the capital Kyiv and at least nine other Ukrainian regions, stretching from frontline areas in the southeast of the country to the border with Poland in the west.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While attempting to grab the suspect, authorities believe the agent’s weapon discharged, striking both the suspect and a deputy US marshal.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Alexis Correa, who DHS claimed was the driver and a member of the Latin Kings, allegedly followed agents for several miles before attempting to ram the vehicle.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether or not Takaichi's administration is as tough on immigration issues as her campaign rhetoric suggests, some observers warn that failing to actively invest in and integrate foreign nationals into society will have lasting harm on Asia’s second-largest economy.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Without a consolidation of that vote in the final stretch, Mamdani appears tough to beat.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Democrats are pushing to extend soon-to-expire health care tax credits and reverse earlier Medicaid cuts, but Republicans have rejected those proposals.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The partisan scramble was sparked by Trump pushing Texas and other Republican-majority states to redistrict to preserve the party’s majority in the House, prompting Democrats to launch their own efforts to push back.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Gidwani recommends striving for a blend of aerobic (cardio) exercise and strength training to optimize mitochondrial health.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That dynamic is something Sandriver is striving to correct.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Its lighter, more delicate texture is best suited to baking, poaching, or searing.—
Rachael Zimlich,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Racking up enthusiastic reviews, Dave’s Hot Chicken has made a searing entry into the Boise market.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers to work without pay, straining operations at major airports.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Even in the wealthiest countries populations are aging and straining key social systems.—
Sarah McCammon,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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