try 1 of 2

verb

ˈtrī How to pronounce try (audio)
Definition of trynext
1
as in to stretch
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress you're trying my patience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to attempt
to make an effort to do try to unlock the door will try to call later tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

try

2 of 2

noun

as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something was granted another try at the field goal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb try differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of try are attempt, endeavor, essay, and strive. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

When can attempt be used instead of try?

In some situations, the words attempt and try are roughly equivalent. However, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to try?

The synonyms endeavor and try are sometimes interchangeable, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When is essay a more appropriate choice than try?

The words essay and try can be used in similar contexts, but essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When is it sensible to use strive instead of try?

While the synonyms strive and try are close in meaning, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of try
Verb
The key will be more consistency as the club tries to regain its footing in the American League Central race. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025 In the Tuesday, June 3 episode, Gilbert recalled getting the role of Laura Ingalls and how her parents tried to keep her life normal despite her star rising. —Angela Andaloro, People.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
After multiple tries, the pilots declared an emergency and landed with the nose gear up, skidding to a stop with the front of the plane scraping the runway. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 Another try involved squeezing onto a boat, but the group lacked food or water. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for try
Recent Examples of Synonyms for try
  1. stretch
  2. attempt
  3. push
  4. strive
  5. test
  6. seek
  7. strain
  8. bother
Verb
  • Replenish mulches to stretch the time between waterings. 39.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
  • Travel costs are down Broadly, travel costs have declined, which may help travelers looking to stretch their budget.
    — Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 31 May 2025
Definition of stretch
Verb
  • According to Blabbermouth, Downe talked about missing Burch and attempting to heal on the band’s current U.S. tour.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 June 2025
  • Musk was attempting something far more ambitious than the Reagan-era Grace Commission or Al Gore’s Reinventing Government initiative.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • As Nuno pointed out, the player of the season award could reasonably have been renamed the ‘team of the season award’ during a campaign in which Forest followed up back-to-back fights against relegation by pushing for Champions League qualification.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Indiana is built to push the ball, which can lead to quick shots and offensive spurts.
    — Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of push
Verb
  • This leads them to strive to inspire others, creating a virtuous cycle that perpetually increases engagement, a sense of purpose, and more.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 June 2025
  • The album’s 11 tracks don’t strive to be confessional, just open.
    — Janine Schaults, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Definition of strive
Verb
  • China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade of the island would look like.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
  • The study included 472 infants and toddlers, out of which 278 tested positive for Covid-19 and another 539 preschool-aged children.
    — Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of test
Verb
  • Miami sought him, too, before landing Carson Beck for $3 million.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • During their meeting, Graham offered prayers for Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, seeking divine guidance for a path to peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of seek
Verb
  • Shake or stir to mix; then strain using a fine-mesh strainer.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
  • Giving water beyond the amount needed to mix powdered or concentrated formula can strain a baby's developing kidneys and lead to a rare but serious condition known as water intoxication.
    — Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
Definition of strain
Verb
  • After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • Users do have to purchase such gadgets, learn how to utilize them, and put them on their body, however, which are all steps that many folks simply won't bother taking.
    — Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 26 May 2025
Definition of bother

Phrases Containing try

Browse Nearby Words

truthfulness
try
trying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/try. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on try

Nglish: Translation of try for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about try

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