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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Manufacturers now have a compact, a mid-size, an EV and a large SUV in their fleets trying to earn consumers’ business regardless of market.
—Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Researchers at Oklahoma State University are now trying to change that by teaching machines to respond to human instinct in real time.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Manufacturers now have a compact, a mid-size, an EV and a large SUV in their fleets trying to earn consumers’ business regardless of market.
—Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
-
Ubers are typically available in-season, but may be harder to get during odd hours or bad weather.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The team is also developing a next-generation robotic hand to address swelling in harder-to-treat areas, expanding the potential of soft-robotic therapy beyond wearable sleeves.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This long ball goes to the No 9, with Nmecha stretching the defence through a run behind.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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Rolling hills carpeted in bluebonnets stretching as far as the eye can see.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The attack on the Michigan synagogue took place on the same day as a former Army National Guard member who served years in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State group opened fire on a classroom at Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing one person and wounding two others.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
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The San Diego Sheriff’s Office Saturday released the name of a 34-year-old man who died last week after apparently attempting to kill himself inside his cell at San Diego Central Jail.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Middle linebacker is one of the toughest positions to play in today’s game, but Smith has the mental makeup to run the front of this defense.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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The Senate map will likely get tougher for Democrats in future elections.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento will see temperatures pushing toward 90 by midweek.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Tensions in the Middle East are pushing the United Kingdom to consider new military technology to protect global energy supplies.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Through the Daodejing, one of the central texts of Daoism, Laozi offers perspectives from a tumultuous period of status-striving in Chinese history – and shifts our focus from comparison and competition to contentment.—
Stephen Chen,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
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Being imaginative and continually striving to improve your craft are two things that are difficult to teach, and both are areas in which Arieonni excels.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There are no national – or local – media outlets setting up for live broadcasts on this searing hot afternoon.—
Celina Tebor,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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No kitchen is complete without a skillet, and this well-sized model is perfect for searing, stir-frying, sauteing and more.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All stones start out as crystals that grow or coalesce in the bladder leading to urinary problems manifested in different ways such as straining to urinate, inability to urinate, bloody urination, inappropriate voiding, and more.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
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Flores said the rising cost of fuel is straining his budget.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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