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

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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

Mass shootings are rare in Poland Videos posted on social media by witnesses show people running away from the square to take cover on small streets nearby, as well as first responders trying to resuscitate victims. — Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 So the job as a coach is trying to make the group work in whatever capacity. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying

Adjective

The Chiefs have a far more difficult remaining schedule (eighth hardest) than the Broncos do (27th), per DVOA data.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
The hardest part is often matching the format to the problem rather than simply choosing what’s most convenient.

— Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of hard

Verb

Jim Gardiner, who was kicking off his campaign for a third term representing a ward stretching northwest from Irving Park to Sauganash.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
By stretching out their wings and riding these currents, vultures can gain altitude with little effort.

— Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of stretching

Verb

Milton Banks was arrested by Denver police on July 14 after allegedly assaulting and attempting to carjack a driver on the 2100 block of East Colfax.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
Officers followed his car at a distance before attempting to initiate a traffic stop, DHS said.

— Louis Casiano , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of attempting

Adjective

The Heat now returns home, but the competition is about to get tougher.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Councilwoman Willis has been a tough negotiator, challenging us to work with the City of Dallas transportation department to identify and fund meaningful traffic enhancements.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of tough

Verb

Hood is not the only person pushing for a pause on executions in Florida.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
The Associated Press declared Matsui the winner Tuesday afternoon over Vang, a Sacramento City Council member who entered the race pushing for a new generation of Democratic leadership.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of pushing

Verb

Abi is the conventional one, diligently striving in the white-collar world for mundane material comforts.

— Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Wong took a different path and co-founded a political party called Demosisto in 2016, advocating for self-determination and striving for a referendum on the city's political future.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of striving

Adjective

That was where the first responders found him—sitting calmly and cross-legged, insulated from the intrusive buzz and searing light of the world around him.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Nov. 2026
Why the ridiculous prices are worth it Bob Baffert grabs a water out of a nearby cooler to keep the searing heat and humidity at bay.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of searing

Verb

The United States must pursue delicate, nuanced diplomacy to avoid creating a stronger, legitimized North Korea; straining its alliances with Seoul and Tokyo; and debilitating the international nonproliferation regime.

— Stephen E. Biegun, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2026
Russian forces hammered energy infrastructure around Ukraine’s capital with missiles and drones overnight, straining Kyiv’s power supply ‌and heating systems as temperatures headed towards zero, officials said on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2026