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
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
There also is a rather sketchy guy named The Bear (Jon Bernthal), who owes Charlie for his help during one very trying time in his time at the agency.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Despite the potential dangers, some young users and their families say trying the controversial therapy is preferable to being stuck in the status quo.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trying
Adjective
Getting to Coachella this year has been more trying than usual, festivalgoers say, as many are taking to social media to complain about hours-long lines to get to the car camping area on the festival grounds.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
There also is a rather sketchy guy named The Bear (Jon Bernthal), who owes Charlie for his help during one very trying time in his time at the agency.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
Minor’s primary role could come on special teams, where the Patriots are still trying to identify a gunner to play opposite Brenden Schooler on the punt team.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Despite the potential dangers, some young users and their families say trying the controversial therapy is preferable to being stuck in the status quo.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying
Adjective
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Consider how closed captioning, originally developed for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, now benefits millions in noisy environments or when audio isn't available.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Just hard to think that’ll happen coming off the Jacksonville blowout.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When tested, the team found that the new material is extremely stretchy, able to safely handle ~4600% strain (like stretching 1 cm of gel to 46 cm without breaking).—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Grand Teton Pathway passes through the park, stretching from Jackson to Antelope Flats Road.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Razorbacks are attempting to win a game in Oxford for the first time since 2017.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Julia Fonseca, a professor at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, cautioned against homebuyers attempting to predict the level of mortgage rates.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her comments come as Democrats face a leadership crossroads in Washington, with long-serving figures under scrutiny and younger candidates pushing for change.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Angels made a late change to their rotation, pushing all of the pitchers back a day and having right-hander José Ureña start Wednesday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The focus is on TV shows, movies and digital content that tell the personal stories of athletes, the emotional stakes of competition and striving for athletic excellence.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
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Chronic striving has its downsides, though.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
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After all, Miami seemingly has stamina to withstand searing heat after practicing in it all summer, while the opponent typically comes to town ill-prepared for the oppressive temperatures and humidity.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now, researchers believe the condition is more linked to straining and changes in pressure that affect hemorrhoid veins.—
Simon Spichak,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
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Just over 50 years ago, the oil shock of 1973 triggered a staggering spike in gasoline prices in the United States, Europe, and beyond, straining economies and causing drastic fuel shortages.—
Fatih Birol,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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