TRIAL Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

trial 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrī(-ə)l

Definition of trial

as in ordeal

a test of faith, patience, or strength living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in rehearsal

a private performance or session in preparation for a public appearance ran another trial of the aerial performance before opening night

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in test

a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty trials by medical researchers haven't determined whether the medication is safe or not

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as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something will rest and make another trial at climbing the mountain

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as in headache

something that is a source of irritation trying to have a coherent phone conversation with his senile father was always a trial

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trial

2 of 2

adjective

as in experimental

made or done as an experiment a trial medical procedure that should be considered only after all other options have been exhausted

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 trial

Noun

The settlement eliminates the need to resolve that remaining question at trial. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 The killings of Murdaugh’s wife and son and his subsequent six-week trial captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 After an internal trial, the IAFF retained some charges against Escobar. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Busfield, who has insisted be was innocent of the charges, was released from custody pending trial. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trial

Noun

This entire ordeal can be traced back to the infamous BCS formula, which captivated audiences with computer rankings that led to fans essentially yelling at computers at seasons end.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
If the person holding key intellectual property or leading the company risks losing status, immigration planning ceases to be a personal ordeal.

— Bernardo Saraiva, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordeal

Noun

Bishop Martha Mary Sherman, left, carries a crucifix and stand while priests Linda Wilcox, center, and Mary Smith carry other items for a rehearsal for Annie Girresch’s ordination.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
To prepare for the performance, Okatsuka studied the choreography at home before meeting with the Rams cheerleaders to run the routine at their weekly rehearsals.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Noun

Japan's Self-Defense Force has introduced its first long-range Type-25 land-to-ship missile to Yonaguni during the drill, though no test-firing is planned.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Whether this broader metabolic shift can improve psychiatric symptoms is now being put to the test.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

These symptoms may reflect the brain’s attempts to integrate and learn from what happened.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
While traveling with then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981, White House press secretary James Brady was shot during an assassination attempt on the president.

— Chandelis Duster, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

The biggest headache for Thune was the Save America Act, a voter ID bill that lacked a strategy to become law in the Senate.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
In Meta’s case, creepy video-recording incidents and privacy-light tampering have caused severe headaches for the company.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of headache

Adjective

On Uncle, fish narc sheds his past experimental impulses and finds a new identity within ebullient, feel-good college rock.

— Jeff Yerger, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Spanish scientists have developed an experimental type of self-disinfecting cotton fabric, which is activated via ordinary white light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of experimental

Noun

In Lyon, France's third-largest city where about 20,000 protesters joined the march, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
At the height of the incident, DeKalb fire crews blocked two right lanes of I-85 southbound and the entire access road next to it.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

However, a preview on the Haunted World website includes glimpses of circus, alien, ghost and cannibal themes.

— Hali Smith October 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
The technical feats of the production were chronicled in this Variety Artisans preview report from March 25, 2018.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026