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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

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.

Manufacturers are losing lots of skilled, older workers as they retire, but they are not trying to replace them because of uncertainty about future sales.

From MarketWatch

Meanwhile, the company is trying to reduce the inventory that it already has there.

From The Wall Street Journal

The goal is to expand the skills and ideas a counselor can draw from when trying to form a connection.

From Los Angeles Times

Tangling with people is bad news for rattlesnakes because people are often trying to kill them, Taylor added.

From Los Angeles Times

In response to questions about the grenade incident and the state’s ongoing efforts to obtain records, Gomez said Cal/OSHA is trying to avoid future tragedies.

From Los Angeles Times

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.