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

Host Modern Thermal Serving Dish – For the host who’s always trying to keep dishes warm long enough for everyone to enjoy them as intended, the Host Modern Thermal Serving Dish is a small revelation.

Read more on Salon

Nearly 200 countries are trying to agree on how to make progress in tackling climate change.

Read more on BBC

Underground religious bodies like Zion Church, though harassed, persist with quiet resilience; officials often face a whack-a-mole reality in trying to suppress them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the moment she seems to be the only one who’s trying.

Read more on Salon

The Bruins are trying to flee the Rose Bowl, did you hear?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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