TRIAL AND ERROR Synonyms: 18 Similar Words

trial and error

noun

Definition of trial and error

as in test

Related Words

Relevance

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 trial and error Unfortunately, determining which medication will help a specific patient often still involves a frustrating process of trial and error. — Jamie Maguire, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026 Along with the gazebo, Jonathan explains how the design of his outdoor fireplace turned into a bit of trial and error for him. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 Venture capitalists are often willing to fund an entrepreneur who has persevered and improved an idea or product through trial and error. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026 After some years of trial and error, Schoenegger said the brand successfully launch the material in its own collections. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial and error

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial and error

Noun

Investigators said Smith requested a test drive, then pushed a salesperson away and drove off in the vehicle.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
The real test is not whether an e-bike can travel an impressive distance on paper.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

Shopify's 2023 experiment banning every recurring meeting company-wide, reinstating only the ones teams deliberately chose to bring back.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
In Tanaka’s experiments the mice spent 48 hours in the hibernation-like state and then woke up.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of experiment

Noun

For the emerging workforce, this shift coincides with the phase where professional identity is formed through experimentation and failure.

— Khadim Batti, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
This time around, the tests that also involved Saab UK, makers of the Giraffe 1X radars, and were carried onboard the XV Patrick Blackett, the Royal Navy’s experimentation ship.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of experimentation

Noun

Selling minority stakes in sports teams is nothing new, but the practice has become more common.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The finalist images document the consequences of overfishing and bycatch, the impact of pollution on marine mammals and the killing of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands, a practice known as grindadráp.

— Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

Those sea views will keep you company during your workout on the little gym platform overlooking the beach.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, who was in Minnesota this week as a guest of the Vikings, sat in on a position group meeting, spent time with players and watched both days of dual workouts with the Ravens.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of workout

Noun

Washington and Seoul say their drills are defensive in nature, but North Korea calls them an invasion rehearsal and often reacts with weapons tests.

— Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Baum und Pferdgarten’s collection was inspired by what dancers wear offstage between rehearsals and classes.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

What really helps the brain is exercise, especially high-intensity interval training.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Unmanned vessel demonstrates missile capability The demonstration was conducted under the US Navy’s Fleet Experimentation Program during RIMPAC, the world’s largest international naval exercise.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of exercise

Noun

Despite her openness about those trials, many still wonder, in the aftermath of her death, how yet another gifted actor who grew up in the limelight could have their story cut so short.

— Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by a Gwinnett County man in 2022, avoiding a trial that was set to begin Monday in federal court in Atlanta.

— Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of trial

Browse Nearby Words

trial

trial and error

trial and errors

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trial and error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trial%20and%20error. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of trial and error

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes