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

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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
Taiwanese authorities in March investigated three men for trying to smuggle Super Micro computer servers containing advanced Nvidia chips to China. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 When a place becomes very Instagrammable, people are trying to get that perfect bikini shot at the pool, and other guests are often in the background. — Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 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
  • For the last six years, Six has lived as a recluse in Amsterdam, lying in bed and going out twice a day for decaf coffee (the regular brew is too hard on his shattered nerves).
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • That could make a huge difference in remote communities where fuel is hard to find and dependable electricity cannot be taken for granted.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of hard
Verb
  • There was no mistaking the silver-dollar-thick main beams, each stretching close to 30 inches from base to tip.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Dallas uses motions and shifts in both the run and the pass game; their rushing attack features powerful gap concepts but also layered, stretching zone runs.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of stretching
Verb
  • Bowie appeared in court Thursday and was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations.
    — Jack Date, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Jessica Bowie, 35, is facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group ISIS after a confidential informant told the FBI that Bowie had reached out for help making explosives.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of attempting
Adjective
  • With men on first and third and nobody out that inning, second baseman Jackson Holliday fielded a tough grounder and threw to second, but shortstop Gunnar Henderson dropped the ball for an error and everyone was safe.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As for footwear sales in the region, the second quarter saw a slowdown of sales of high-heat product, alongside tougher comparatives and ongoing softness in end-of-cycle footwear product lines.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Verb
  • The intense interest in the case is one reason why her lawyers are pushing for a retrial – the town was so crowded that at one stage jury members shared a hotel with the prosecution team and an informant.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • After the demise of SB 10, lawmakers were tepid on pushing any cash bail reforms until a ruling in 2021 known as the Humphrey ruling.
    — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pushing
Verb
  • Paradoxically, striving for evermore money and material goods as a means of improving wellbeing often undermines quality of life.
    — Janet Linly, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But his appointment also lit a fire among a group of academics - and others - who believe Cambridge and other universities and public bodies are striving too hard to increase their diversity.
    — Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of striving
Adjective
  • Now, after two losing campaigns, each with dramatic, eye-searing collapses, this year may be Norvell’s last.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Stephens arrives as if the plan remained intact, her head-to-toe leather look rebelling against the searing heat.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of searing
Verb
  • Soaring temperatures are forcing drastic measures in Europe, where successive heatwaves are straining an economy already under pressure from US tariffs, Chinese competition and higher energy prices because of the Iran war.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Kabita’s hemoglobin levels were critically low, leaving her short of oxygen and straining her heart.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of trying for Spanish Speakers

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