trying
1 of 2adjective
try·ing ˈtrī-iŋ 
: severely straining the powers of endurance
a trying experience
tryingly adverb
trying
2 of 2present participle of try entry 1
Synonyms
Adjective
- bitter
- brutal
- burdensome
- cruel
- excruciating
- grievous
- grim
- hard
- hardhanded
- harsh
- heavy
- inhuman
- murderous
- onerous
- oppressive
- rough
- rugged
- searing
- severe
- stiff
- tough
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective They have been through some trying times together. He can be very trying at times.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Plesac said this has been his most trying period as a professional. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 4 Aug. 2022 But perhaps his most trying day on set was during the audition process as he screen tested with Clark. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 The audit was conducted from January 2020 through April 2021, covering some of the most trying times for the Wisconsin unemployment system, when the number of claims soared and the department struggled to keep up with the influx of claimants. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 13 June 2022 These Olympics were a very trying time for Japanese society. Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 May 2022 Those going through infertility often call it the most trying time of their life. Halle Tecco, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2022 Dressing up while pregnant is no small feat, but the best maternity cocktail dresses make the task a lot less trying, if not enjoyable. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2022 However, the most trying part for Roman was the heavy-weighted nature of the subject matter. Jessica Rodriguez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2022 See More
Adjective
Given Philip’s take-charge persona, those episodes led to some of the queen’s most trying times, according to biographers. Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Plesac said this has been his most trying period as a professional. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 4 Aug. 2022 But perhaps his most trying day on set was during the audition process as he screen tested with Clark. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 The audit was conducted from January 2020 through April 2021, covering some of the most trying times for the Wisconsin unemployment system, when the number of claims soared and the department struggled to keep up with the influx of claimants. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 13 June 2022 These Olympics were a very trying time for Japanese society. Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 May 2022 Those going through infertility often call it the most trying time of their life. Halle Tecco, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2022 Dressing up while pregnant is no small feat, but the best maternity cocktail dresses make the task a lot less trying, if not enjoyable. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2022 However, the most trying part for Roman was the heavy-weighted nature of the subject matter. Jessica Rodriguez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1718, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing trying
Kids Definition
trying
adjective
try·ing
ˈtrī-iŋ
: hard to bear or put up with
trying 1 of 2
adjective
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
- hard
- tough
- searing
- harsh
- oppressive
- rough
- brutal
- severe
- cruel
- painful
- onerous
- grim
- heavy
- excruciating
- burdensome
- rugged
- bitter
- bleak
- inhuman
- hardhanded
- murderous
- stiff
- forbidding
- uncomfortable
- strict
- grievous
- wearing
- biting
- unpleasant
- unbearable
- grinding
- bad
- crushing
- rigorous
- inhospitable
- overwhelming
- agonizing
- stringent
- spartan
- austere
- wild
- intemperate
- discomforting
- inclement
- hostile
- heartbreaking
- intolerable
- tortuous
- harrowing
- comfortless
- wretched
- unendurable
- heartrending
- disagreeable
- insufferable
- unfriendly
- insupportable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- easy
- light
- soft
- comfortable
- pleasant
- friendly
- luxurious
- agreeable
- cozy
- hospitable
- relaxing
- peaceful
- restful
- genial
- calm
- moderate
- gentle
- tolerable
- snug
- painless
- bearable
- mild
- temperate
- reposeful
- balmy
- endurable
- clement
trying
2 of 2verb
1
as in pushing
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress you're trying my patience Synonyms & Similar Words
- pushing
- stretching
- straining
- testing
- bothering
- taxing
- pressuring
- annoying
- demanding
- getting (to)
- irritating
- importuning
- harassing
- exasperating
- pestering
- hassling
- aggravating
- pressing
- exacting
- harrying
- agitating
- paining
- spiting
- riling
- vexing
- nettling
- grating
- galling
- irking
- peeving
- gnawing (at)
2
as in attempting
to make an effort to do try to unlock the door will try to call later tonight Synonyms & Similar Words
- attempting
- striving
- seeking
- endeavoring
- hoping
- struggling
- working
- assaying
- shooting at
- essaying
- aiming
- fighting
- shooting for
- trying one's hand (at)
- having a go at
- toiling
- undertaking
- troubling
- aspiring
- straining
- assuming
- taking up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dropping
- quitting
- giving up