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
Stewart is trying to turn that around as consumer demand slows. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026 Getty Images College football’s 2026 season begins today in Dublin with one of the sport’s most recognizable coaches trying to put a difficult first year behind him. — Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
Cheslin Kolbe had converted another scrum penalty into a 16-12 lead but, from the restart, New Zealand lock Fabian Holland charged down scrumhalf Grant Williams for a converted try and 19-16. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 Five days earlier, in the preseason opener at Highmark Stadium, a 45-yard try veered too far right. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 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
  • Robinson’s lawyers have attempted to undermine several of the exhibits offered by the prosecution, including questioning the accuracy of DNA and its ability to link suspects to crime weapons, which could be a key part of their argument in the trial.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Moody made 46 of 62 field goal attempts with San Francisco, and 94 of his 96 extra-point tries.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • The move may mark more than another bout of bond-market volatility, with consequences stretching across economies and financial markets.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Its low-profile frame looks clean and modern, while deep seats give you plenty of room to read, watch, or stretch out.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of stretch
Verb
  • OpenAI is striving to regain the initiative in the AI race against a backdrop of growing anxiety from experts, tech leaders, and the public over the risks of frontier AI.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Behind every bottle lies a world shaped by ritual and inheritance, and by those striving to preserve or transform it.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of strive
Verb
  • Adebo could still push Banks, while Phillips has secured the slot job.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That more than doubled its stock, pushing its market cap above $9 billion, adding to the bottom line of Thrive and Kushner, who is vice chairman and has personal holdings.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority CEO Doug Kreulen said Parton’s life exemplified the values the airport seeks to nurture.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Twenty-five years on and seeking revenge, Robbie infiltrates his gang from the bottom up in order to kill the man responsible, only to discover that the British underboss is grooming him to settle a debt no one was ever meant to survive.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of seek
Verb
  • Mice treated with the grafts also did better on tasks testing their memory and spatial learning.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This year, Oura, one of the tournament’s sponsors, set up a recovery station near Court 5 with thermal imaging to test body temperature and cooling stations to relax between points.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of test
Verb
  • Last week, City & State reported payments were late again this year in 3-K and Pre-K, and The New York Times later reported the same setbacks were also straining the new 2-K pilot program, renewing scrutiny of the delays.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In June, after Bitcoin’s downturn strained the model, Strategy created a new financial backstop.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of strain
Verb
  • Say what’s bothering you before resentment takes over the conversation.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Rafter, bothered by a right shoulder injury, retires after Cedric Pioline breaks his serve in the opening game of the fifth set.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother

Phrases Containing try

Browse Nearby Words

truthfulness
try
trying
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Cite this Entry

“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/try. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on try

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about try

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