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
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Recent Examples of trying
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
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Every inch is just packed with people lying on blankets or playing bocce, trying to get a little bit of sunlight.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
Scientists are still trying to unravel their impacts on human health, but animal research has linked them to reproductive problems and hormone disruption.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Every inch is just packed with people lying on blankets or playing bocce, trying to get a little bit of sunlight.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
-
Larysa, Oleh, and their cousins would scale apple trees and bite into unripe fruit, hard and green.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The best way to do that is to take the least amount of gas (since the tires are hard like hockey pucks and don’t wear out much).—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For a century, the 2,448 mile road stretching across eight states and three time zones has been synonymous with mom-and-pop diners and America’s Heartland.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Olivia Rodrigo has announced North American and European tour dates stretching from the fall into 2027.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Muse noted that his team has the ability to dust itself off and remain positive, even amid profound adversity, such as attempting to come back from down 3-0.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Iran has responded by stepping up its attacks on ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
Comfortable travel can be achieved with stretchy, breathable pants, but securing a pair that hits those marks while looking stylish can be tough.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The company is also pushing for legislation to shield it from liability.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.—
Laura Millan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boring dad; feisty mom; rich do-gooder; striving newcomer; MAGA one; MAGA two.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
One of the most exciting restorations of this year, or any other year, comes to New York this Sunday, May 3rd, with a rare screening of Frank Perry’s searing and lyrical 1969 teen drama Last Summer at the Paris Theater.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add ingredients to shaking tin and shake hard for 10 seconds then pour it directly into a rocks glass without straining.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Some audience members shout callouts, but not loudly or consistently enough to register, leaving the cast awkwardly straining to acknowledge jokes that barely land.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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