1
as in ordeals
a test of faith, patience, or strength
living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rehearsals
a private performance or session in preparation for a public appearance
ran another trial of the aerial performance before opening night
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tests
a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty
trials by medical researchers haven't determined whether the medication is safe or not
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in attempts
an effort to do or accomplish something
will rest and make another trial at climbing the mountain
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
trying to have a coherent phone conversation with his senile father was always a trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trials
She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.
—
Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
After coming up short in the trials a half dozen times, Ruohonen, who graduated from Spring Lake Park and lives in Brooklyn Park, has finally broken through.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
This enables higher accuracy in matching patients to complex criteria in trials.
—Paul Hudson, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
In animal trials, this new electrode reportedly outperformed standard metal versions, with signal stability metrics improving by several hundredfold.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Being coerced into recreational activities against your will suggests a unique type of loneliness—for Sutkowski, one that represents emotional trials far deeper than just an unhappy season in dusty cleats.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office handled Hall’s murder trials.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Opening arguments are set to kick off in two trials brought against the technology giant, both of which could have significant repercussions for Meta and the social media industry.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Close unused services and delete accounts tied to outdated app subscriptions or trials.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
After coming up short in the trials a half dozen times, Ruohonen, who graduated from Spring Lake Park and lives in Brooklyn Park, has finally broken through.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
This enables higher accuracy in matching patients to complex criteria in trials.
—Paul Hudson, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
In animal trials, this new electrode reportedly outperformed standard metal versions, with signal stability metrics improving by several hundredfold.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Being coerced into recreational activities against your will suggests a unique type of loneliness—for Sutkowski, one that represents emotional trials far deeper than just an unhappy season in dusty cleats.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office handled Hall’s murder trials.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Opening arguments are set to kick off in two trials brought against the technology giant, both of which could have significant repercussions for Meta and the social media industry.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Close unused services and delete accounts tied to outdated app subscriptions or trials.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trials
Noun
-
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
During early rehearsals of a pivotal coatroom scene, Kaplow recalls flagging that Hawke was touching his scene partner too often.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
-
With rehearsals in the early stages, the singer is spending much of his time preparing for the months-long commitment, which is set to begin in May and run through the end of the year.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These tests allowed the team to examine how accurately the system could detect transitions from safe to unsafe contact in real time.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Sound waves from the ultrasound had been shown to interact with circulating microbubbles, standard imaging contrast agents used in tests like echocardiograms.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Salah, who had five attempts, has failed to score in his last seven league appearances.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Minnesota made just eight of 33 three-point attempts and committed 20 turnovers while being held under 100 points for just the second time this season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These include smart finds for meal prep, cooking, and cleaning—because there’s no shortage of everyday kitchen headaches to solve.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The change could also prompt state governments to roll out a patchwork of their own regulations, adding a new layer of compliance headaches for automakers, utilities, and other companies.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In southern Argentina, the fires first ignited by lightning forced the evacuation of thousands of tourists and residents and burned through over 174 square miles of native forest, including vast swaths of the Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to 2,600-year-old trees.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Design Making a Difference, partnering with Habitat for Humanity and the Foothill Catalog Foundation, to help rebuild homes lost in the fires.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The evidence for this comes from a bonobo named Kanzi, who took part in three pretend tea party-style experiments conducted by two researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Now, with our vanity bruised, is the time for experiments.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Jayhawks, led by White’s five 3’s in seven tries, went 12-of-24 from 3 to ISU’s 9-of-27.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Cowens and the other four judges – NBA greats Cazzie Russell and Satch Sanders, as well as Roger Staubach and Martina Navratilova – gave Dominique and Spud perfect 50s on their first tries.—
Kevin Sherrington
Feb. 10,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trials. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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