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Synonyms

trying

American  
[trahy-ing] / ˈtraɪ ɪŋ /

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 British  
/ ˈtraɪɪŋ /

adjective

  1. upsetting, difficult, or annoying

    a trying day at the office
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • tryingly adverb
  • tryingness noun
  • untrying adjective

Etymology

Origin of trying

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

Explanation

Use the adjective trying to describe an experience that is exasperating or difficult. Babysitting rascally kids for hours can be a trying ordeal. If you've had a trying week, you'll be relieved and happy when Friday night finally arrives. Trying things can be upsetting, tricky, or strenuous. This word comes from a sense of the verb try that means "to make severe demands on a person, or on a person's patience." The first recorded use of trying was in the early 18th century.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We’re not trying to be a judge or a jury. We’re trying to publish books that show openness to ideas, that don’t shame people or punish dissent and encourage debate.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

"It has been an interesting week trying to learn how to play again on clay," said Sinner.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Fuel prices are likely to ease, assuming the cease-fire holds, but airlines will almost certainly keep trying to raise fares and tack on extra charges.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

I’ll also note that any gay person who is into dinosaurs will tell you they’re still trying to dress like Laura Dern’s character in the film.”

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

He was not yet near enough to glimpse the open door, but he was close enough to feel its gravity trying to draw him in.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.