try 1 of 2

verb

ˈtrī How to pronounce try (audio)
Definition of trynext
1
as in to attempt
to make an effort to do try to unlock the door will try to call later tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stretch
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress you're trying my patience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
When the system’s rigged against you, try to undermine it or circumvent it. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 Many men have tried to destroy me. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Those seven tries produced zero first downs. —Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025 Follow the directions and you, too, will have smooth, shiny hair on the first try. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for try
Recent Examples of Synonyms for try
  1. attempt
  2. stretch
  3. strive
  4. push
  5. seek
  6. test
  7. strain
  8. bother
Verb
  • President William Lai attempted to visit New York City and Dallas in July, but was waved off by the White House without public explanation.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Kicker Brandon McManus — who made 20-of-21 field goal attempts a year ago — missed a 48-yarder on the final play of the first half.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • The line often stretches out the door, a testament to the café’s reputation as one of Nashville’s most beloved no-frills eateries.
    — Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shark nets were installed across 51 beaches in NSW, for the season starting September 1, across 51 beaches stretching around 140 miles from Newcastle to Wollongong, 9News reports.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of stretch
Verb
  • Chronic striving has its downsides, though.
    — Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When multiple businesses strive to outdo each other, the result is better products, improved services and more choices for consumers.
    — Levi King, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of strive
Verb
  • This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Ascent fought back against the defending league champion Tampa Bay Sun in a prime-time Gainbridge Super League matchup, thrilling an energetic Charlotte crowd on a night when kickoff was pushed back roughly 30 minutes due to thunderstorms.
    — Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of push
Verb
  • Many had anticipated Sand would seek the governorship, launching his bid for the seat almost exactly one month after Reynolds announced her retirement.
    — Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Emilia Pérez Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez follows the titular Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón), who seeks a fresh start — and a new identity as a woman — with the help of a lawyer (Zoe Saldaña, in her Oscar-winning role).
    — Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of seek
Verb
  • All of the cats who tested this litter adjusted to it quickly and easily — some even had a little play date in their box, kicking and scratching, which is a good sign!
    — Kayla Blanton, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.
    — Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of test
Verb
  • The 'why wall' In a room at Fort Jackson next to the paved outdoor area where trainees strain through sweaty workouts, one wall is covered in scribbled-on sticky notes.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The problem often develops from straining during bowel movements, with diet and weight playing a major role.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of strain
Verb
  • The women were too busy cooking, crafting, and caring for the family to bother with the stone tools used by men in hunting and building.
    — Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?
    — Time, Time, 10 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 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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