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Definition of trying

trying

/ˈtɹaɪ.ɪŋ/
try · ing
Adverb:tryingly
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trying Lexical Profile

trying Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Difficult or annoying; hard to endure or putting a severe strain on one's patience.

Example

"The nurses maintained their composure throughout a particularly trying week at the hospital."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for trying

• Nearby Words

truthfulness
truthiness
try
trying
tryingly
tryna
tryout

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as the present participle of the verb 'try' (from Old French 'trier', meaning to sift or cull), evolving into an adjective meaning 'testing one's patience or endurance'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Trying. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/trying
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