trying

[trahy-ing]

adjective

1. extremely annoying, difficult, or the like; straining one's patience and goodwill to the limit.

   a trying day; a trying experience.

   Synonyms: vexing, bothersome, irksome, irritating

trying

/ ˈtraɪɪŋ /

adjective

1. upsetting, difficult, or annoying

   a trying day at the office

Other Word Forms

• tryingly adverb
• tryingness noun
• untrying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trying¹

First recorded in 1570–80 for the sense “attempting”; 1710–20 for the current sense; try + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The woman told the BBC, outside court, that she was trying to act in their best interests.

Read more on BBC

He said that the claimant was trying to get on Mr Millward's nerves to get a reaction from him and to cause him embarrassment.

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Hospitals said two people had been killed on Wednesday while trying to collect food from aid distribution centres in central and southern Gaza.

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“They never had anything on me ... they were trying to make an example of me.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Thousands of homes were lost in Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7, and residents are now trying to take in the latest reveal, federal officials’ finding as to what started the blaze.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arduous 
• demanding 
• irritating 
• strenuous 
• stressful 
• taxing 
• tricky 
• troublesome 
• upsetting 
• vexing