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
Travis Bean, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Sean Ono Lennon on Growing Up with 'Good Witch' Yoko Ono — and 'Rebelling' Against Her 'Cosmic, Woo-Woo Stuff' (Exclusive)
The press conference was a moment of levity in the midst of a very trying time for the couple.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
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
Directed by Justin Baldoni, the film offers a powerful and sobering narrative about how romance colors our vision even in the most trying and terrifying of moments.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Sean Ono Lennon on Growing Up with 'Good Witch' Yoko Ono — and 'Rebelling' Against Her 'Cosmic, Woo-Woo Stuff' (Exclusive)
The press conference was a moment of levity in the midst of a very trying time for the couple.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
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
-
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
-
Federal judges have so far been skeptical of the Trump administration’s past efforts to use extraordinary powers to make deportations easier, and that could make suspending habeas corpus even tougher.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
-
But his sharpness increased as the tournament progressed, especially in the semi-final against his toughest opponent on paper, Stephen Nedoroscik.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 May 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
-
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
-
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
-
Set in 2019 Los Angeles, Akil’s update paints a searing portrait of the issues faced by teenagers today, exploring the social media age and how, via the race-swapping of the leads, Black kids come of age in white America.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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As one more analogous reference, the need to manage hows reminds me of great literature, in particular, Viktor Frankl’s searing memoir Man’s Search For Meaning.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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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More precipitation in these locations could make up for the harsh cold season.—
Jordan-Marie Smith,
NPR,
11 May 2025
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The team opened the year with some question marks at third base and those questions have persisted after a harsh injury to Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm landed on the injured list earlier this month after suffering a high-grade strain to his right oblique.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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