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

• tryingness noun
• tryingly adverb
• 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

During the protest, dozens of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa recounted what they endured in Libya, and a minute of silence was held for those who died trying to cross the Mediterranean.

Read more on Barron's

“Everyone knows these flavors and these dishes but it’s just got a fancy French name, so trying to compare it to something that everyone is already aware of is how we make it accessible.”

Read more on Salon

The family, it said, were trying to reach their home to inspect it when the incident happened in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City on Friday night.

Read more on BBC

Unreported is the touchier issue of the number of Americans who have been desperately trying to get a second passport, especially since the last election.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the second “No Kings” protest comes with some existential questions for organizers who trying to mount a sustained protest movement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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