trying 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrī-iŋ How to pronounce trying (audio)
Definition of tryingnext
as in hard
difficult to endure a harrowing account of the trying conditions experienced by the climbers before they were rescued

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of try
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trying
Adjective
When your spouse passes away, this can be a very trying and confusing time. — Thomas Hager, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Jax is in the middle of his most trying experience since his rookie season. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Vitello said the Giants are still trying to determine Susac’s prognosis, but noted that Susac needed to be carted in. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Gray has spent much of his career excavating the particular anxieties of New York families trying to climb a few rungs higher in society. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
  1. hard
  2. stretching
  3. attempting
  4. tough
  5. pushing
  6. striving
  7. searing
  8. straining
Adjective
  • Certainly Larimore is pointing out that hard times lead to hard truths and hard decisions.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Perseus Rising in the northeast after dark, Perseus is not the easiest constellation to make sense of, but its rich star fields are hard to miss.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of hard
Verb
  • There is sound business in stretching a recognisable design language rather than continually starting again.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Following the military conquests initiated by Genghis Khan in 1206, the Mongols unified vast territories stretching from the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the Persian Gulf and the Danube River, creating the largest contiguous land empire in history.
    — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of stretching
Verb
  • And the dangers faced by vessels attempting to navigate the crucial waterway was underlined Thursday night when the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said two of its ships had been attacked in the strait.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Carruthers' lawyer witnessed the attempts and said the team tried to insert an IV in Carruthers’ arm, hand and foot before attempting to insert a central line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of attempting
Adjective
  • Coventry, for example, face Manchester City away in Gameweek Three, while some of the teams worth targeting early like Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland have tougher fixtures in Gameweeks Three or Four.
    — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This summer has seen a confluence of challenges, including excessive heat that allows food contamination to grow and a pathogen that’s particularly tough to pin down.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Verb
  • The state last week filed documents pushing back on Murdaugh’s request to send DNA found under Maggie’s fingernails to an independent laboratory for more advanced testing.
    — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As thousands of car enthusiasts prepare to descend on Metro Detroit for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, a Michigan lawmaker is pushing legislation to crack down on excessively loud vehicles.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pushing
Verb
  • Winner of The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Tikkun Olam Award recognizing films which emphasize the responsibility and capacity of individuals and collectives to embody change and justice in striving towards a better future.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Arnetra and her sister, Akiva, described Darius as a joker, always striving to bring joy to those around him.
    — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of striving
Adjective
  • The searing heat wave across Europe has driven the union to call for museums to close when temperatures reach 86 degrees Fahrenheit and to institute heat mitigation measures for back-of-house staff.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The return journey sends whatever object (or whoever's on board) through our atmosphere at searing speeds and even more searing temperatures.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of searing
Verb
  • Making ends meet continues to be a struggle for many families, and now back-to-school shopping is straining even more families' budgets.
    — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, the infrastructure is straining against a complexity that grows with every product generation.
    — Thomas Ryd, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of straining

Browse Nearby Words

try
trying
trying one's hand (at)
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Cite this Entry

“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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