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
Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025
All while trying to keep his at-times tense relationship with the council from fully unraveling.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Malik Rahab, 30, has been previously convicted eight times for grabbing women in public or trying to film them in compromising places.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025
All while trying to keep his at-times tense relationship with the council from fully unraveling.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
-
Of all my books, Helm has been so hard and so lovingly written.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Regardless, making amends with Ronnie is harder than Lilly would like.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He was first elected to the House in 1992, and now represents an inland district stretching from the southern Riverside suburbs to Palm Springs.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Without stretching their budget, travelers can enjoy 22 miles of pristine coastline or cross the bridge to hop on a shuttle with Explore Jax Core Tours, where the city’s history, culture, and future unfold through vivid storytelling and physical representation.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Late in the third period, Michkov gave the puck away in the neutral zone while attempting a high-risk, cross-ice pass, resulting in the Senators quickly transitioning the other way.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In addition to his lack of fourth-quarter production against Orlando, Brown also drew just one shooting foul in the loss, attempting his only two free throws midway through the second quarter.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
However, their record at the Etihad makes for tough reading.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Democrats are pushing to extend soon-to-expire health care tax credits and reverse earlier Medicaid cuts, but Republicans have rejected those proposals.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The partisan scramble was sparked by Trump pushing Texas and other Republican-majority states to redistrict to preserve the party’s majority in the House, prompting Democrats to launch their own efforts to push back.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Most in the league seem to think the Bills, after years of striving for a Super Bowl, are having a hard time staying motivated when the stakes are lower.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
At Miami, that’s supposed to be striving for championships.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The searing drama follows the titular socialite (Tessa Thompson) over the course of one opulent, suffocating party.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Emergency responders worked around the clock to locate survivors, enduring searing heat and toxic fumes.—
Josh Green,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers to work without pay, straining operations at major airports.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Even in the wealthiest countries populations are aging and straining key social systems.—
Sarah McCammon,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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