TRY Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

try 1 of 2

verb

ˈtrī

Definition of try

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

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

But extreme weather conditions, such as droughts, heavy rainfall or heat, can affect the timeline of the color change—and scientists are still trying to understand exactly how and why. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026 Barker recalled giving a mutual guy friend some dating advice about just having fun and hooking up with women, advising him to think of dating as a sport, while trying to not get too emotionally invested. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026

Noun

The Bruins forced seven turnovers and stopped Oregon’s late two-point try at the one-yard line, preserving a signature victory that strengthened UCLA’s playoff case. — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 That’s more victories to close out a tight game (three) in four tries than Sanders has produced (two) over his last 10 opportunities. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for try

Recent Examples of Synonyms for try

Verb

The director said Platoon One was among the first to spot that spirit in the film and back what the brothers were attempting.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Upon taking office, the Biden administration stopped turning away unaccompanied child migrants, attempted to halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations for 100 days, and suspended border wall construction.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempt

Verb

The center of the low is expected to impact North Carolina and Virginia, with effects stretching up to coastal New Jersey and down to Florida.

— Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
The Capricorn Moon squares the Libra Sun, and a social plan or future idea could stretch your resources more than expected.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of stretch

Verb

Local government and outside groups have long strived to ban the popular tourist attraction that critics argue is harmful to horses’ well-being.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Stores plan to be thriving Hispanic community hubs Amor Collective will strive to be an event space beyond just meetings and workshops.

— Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of strive

Verb

Torrential rain has pushed all three waterways higher for days, spilling them over their banks in northeastern Argentina, southern Paraguay and western Uruguay.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Audit reports, supplier codes of conduct and corporate sustainability pledges have made up the bulk of brands’ efforts to push a more ecological and socially aware agenda, but times have changed.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

Quaternary sanitizer is used in the facility, however, test strips to test the strength of this chemical are not available in the facility.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
The National Park Service has said the debris tested positive for lead, chromium and other toxic metals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of test

Verb

Smith missed the entire preseason after straining his calf during training camp.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Ties between Ukraine and its most important backer the United States have also been strained by the apparent withdrawal of US intelligence sharing, and restrictions to the Starlink satellite internet service.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of strain

Verb

Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

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“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/try. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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