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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
After months of trying to find the perfect balance of ideas and entertainment, the Planet Money game is ready for our next phase.
—Erika Beras, NPR, 4 Oct. 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
Frappier loaned her phone to a woman trying to reach family.
—Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
After months of trying to find the perfect balance of ideas and entertainment, the Planet Money game is ready for our next phase.
—Erika Beras, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
-
Before referrals were halted, the effort that placed people at the Civic had already moved hard-to-reach homeless people from the street to a shelter space and, in many cases, then on to long-term housing and stability.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Whether the Jedi mind trick played a role Sunday is hard to quantify, but the message was obvious.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Deafening whistles soundtracked the final nine minutes of Sunday’s clash after Grealish’s goal, the game stretching into the 102nd minute before the time was called.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The often snowy State Route 67, stretching some 43 miles south from Jacob Lake Inn to the lodge and scenic overlooks, goes unplowed after the first big storm.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
IndyStar is attempting to reach that man.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The city received the inquiry while its lawyers were in court attempting to stop the deployment of National Guard troops to help protect federal property.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Lindholm’s sparkling NHL re-entry puts him in line for an Olympic call, pushing Ekholm out of the mix.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, China is pushing space forward on several fronts, such as lunar sample return missions with Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6, and the Tianwen 1 orbiter, lander and rover mission at Mars.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is especially true for the young Latine children and families who are striving to learn the local language and customs of a country that’s already waging war against them.—
Priscilla Blossom,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Utah’s state government posted a message on its website this week that officials are monitoring events in Washington connected with national park funding and are striving to protect the national parks in Utah.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
His own divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh informed his Oscar-winning Marriage Story (2019), a searing look at love unraveling.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
-
And McConaughey, as a nervy reluctant hero, steers the searing, intense narrative about normal people living through the most hellish of circumstances.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rivers and lakes are shrinking, groundwater is rapidly depleting, and prolonged drought is straining both agriculture and urban areas.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, shipments hidden in commercial freighters continue to reach Europe, though payments from those transactions take months to arrive, straining regime liquidity.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share