TRYING Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

trying 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrī-iŋ

Definition of trying

as in hard

difficult to endure a harrowing account of the trying conditions experienced by the climbers before they were rescued

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of try

as in stretching

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress you're trying my patience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Vitello said the Giants are still trying to determine Susac’s prognosis, but noted that Susac needed to be carted in. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Gray has spent much of his career excavating the particular anxieties of New York families trying to climb a few rungs higher in society. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trying

Adjective

Certainly Larimore is pointing out that hard times lead to hard truths and hard decisions.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Perseus Rising in the northeast after dark, Perseus is not the easiest constellation to make sense of, but its rich star fields are hard to miss.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard

Verb

The Pro Bowl running back participated in the early walk-through session and team stretching period before moving to the sideline to work with trainers.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Due to this, a few individuals find stretching the lid to fit over the container to be occasionally challenging.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of stretching

Verb

Having already served a yearlong jail sentence for an Orinda bank robbery in 2018, Luchin was indicted last year on charges of attempting to rob three San Francisco banks in the same day.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
Instead of attempting an abundance of field goals, Butker and the place-kicking unit ran onto the field every 20 minutes or so for an attempt.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempting

Adjective

That left the debtor having to prove the negative that the debtor really didn't have any way to re-establish control over trust assets, and such was (and still is) a very tough sell.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Lombard also helped turn a double play in the second inning and handled another tough one-hopper hit by Cesar Prieto in the seventh.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Verb

Ali Tager, an NCA vice president, said on the On The Margin podcast that about a third of small and mid-sized businesses already accept crypto, and that their own customers are pushing.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Now, Hortman and two of his children are pushing to stop Blanche from formally taking on the role of the country's top cop.

— Conor Wight, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of pushing

Verb

Winner of The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Tikkun Olam Award recognizing films which emphasize the responsibility and capacity of individuals and collectives to embody change and justice in striving towards a better future.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Arnetra and her sister, Akiva, described Darius as a joker, always striving to bring joy to those around him.

— Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Definition of striving

Adjective

Arguably the highest-profile contract cancellation for Flock came when the Los Angeles Police Department decided to non-renew its years-long contract with the company, a decision motivated by a searing internal audit of the company’s technology.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026
The searing new memoir, ‘The Wound Is Where the Light Enters,’ details Young’s journey from a mandatory life sentence to freedom through self-education and an extraordinary legal fight.

— Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of searing

Verb

Making ends meet continues to be a struggle for many families, and now back-to-school shopping is straining even more families' budgets.

— Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
As a result, the infrastructure is straining against a complexity that grows with every product generation.

— Thomas Ryd, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of straining

Cite this Entry

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“Trying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trying. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of trying

adjective

verb

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