TRYING Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

trying 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrī-iŋ

Definition of trying

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

trying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of try

as in stretching

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress you're trying my patience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Ema is sick of the dead and long past sick of trying to convince others that her abilities are real. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026 Add gray jeans to the ever-growing list of denim trends worth trying, no matter the season. — Paulina Berges, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying

Adjective

Upstairs, on the top floor, the bar serves vintage hard-to-get champagne and spirits by the glass.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
When transitioning from hard flooring to rugs or carpets, the system automatically adjusts suction levels and modifies its brush roll behavior to maximize particle pickup while preventing hair entanglements around the main rollers.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of hard

Verb

The nor'easter brought severe wind and heavy rain across the Northeast Saturday and Sunday, with the storms stretching from Maine down to New York.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
The fuel price hike prompted a series of protests stretching from Idlib – the interim government’s base – to Aleppo and Damascus.

— Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of stretching

Verb

Kettling was popularized in the 1990s, when activists started using information technologies to outmaneuver police attempting to disperse their protests.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Incumbent Derek Tran is attempting to win the district that centers around Little Saigon for a second consecutive time, a feat last accomplished within his party by former Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempting

Adjective

With phones, keys, multi-tools, flashlights, water bottles and charging cables, the modern trouser and jacket pocket has a tough job coping.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
Trump’s proclamation would have delayed compliance with the tougher standards from 2027 until 2029, though EPA ultimately repealed them in February.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Verb

Minh Connors | Bloomberg | Getty Images Coming off the successful launch of its Muse AI agent, Meta is now pushing its new artificial intelligence service into the business world.

— Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
That visibility gives leaders the leverage to address the underlying constraints instead of asking teams to keep pushing against them.

— Angela Palo, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of pushing

Verb

The next year, Varjao and her husband Miguel Salinas opened their own Sea Love franchise of Sea Love in Oak Park and are striving to provide that same calming feeling for the community that Varjao felt during that family outing.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
MILKist led the initial research and technical formulation, striving to make a sufficiently strong sheet from 100 percent barley straw without adding other fibers or binders.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of striving

Adjective

After winning the prestigious Golden Eye, Plambech returns with another searing analysis of the immigrant experience.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
The durable porcelain enamel exterior resists chipping and cracking, while the matte black interior enhances browning and searing.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of searing

Verb

Some medicines have more than tripled in price, further straining Iranians' finances seven months into the country's war with the United States and Israel.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
The war in Iran has challenged Gulf energy infrastructure, straining exports from key producers and pushing Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar to try and find alternate ways to export their crude and LNG.

— Emma Graham, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of straining

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Style

“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of trying

adjective

verb

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