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

Work began in September 2023 and has caused delays for people trying to get between the island and the mainland.

From BBC

Police in Georgia have clashed with anti-government protesters trying to storm the presidential palace in the capital, Tbilisi.

From BBC

Perhaps Safdie isn’t trying to do anything more than introduce a new generation to Kerr, and throw out some feeble, last-minute ideas about the ephemerality of violent sports glory, as the film’s ending would suggest.

From Salon

And many in the party reckon she is going after the wrong customers and ought to be trying to appeal more to soft liberals or soft Tories, rather than to those interested in Reform.

From BBC

For a domestic sports league trying to grow its popularity globally, the rationale seems clear.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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