trying

[ trahy-ing ]

adjective

1. extremely annoying, difficult, or the like; straining one's patience and goodwill to the limit:

   a trying day; a trying experience.

   Synonyms: vexing, bothersome, irksome, irritating

trying

/ ˈtraɪɪŋ /

adjective

1. upsetting, difficult, or annoying

   a trying day at the office

Derived Forms

• ˈtryingness, noun
• ˈtryingly, adverb

Other Words From

• trying·ly adverb
• trying·ness noun
• un·trying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trying¹

First recorded in 1570–80 for the sense “attempting”; 1710–20 for the current sense; try + -ing ²

Example Sentences

It means changing the parameters of that test one variable at a time, trying to get from correlation to causation.

From Slate

Two GPs arrived, but Mrs MacKinnon said: "They were trying to tend to the wounds, but there was too much blood."

From BBC

Expectant mothers and women trying to conceive should continue to take supplementary folic acid - the synthetic version of the vitamin folate - as currently advised by medical practioners.

From BBC

In addition, the NHS recommends women who are trying for a baby take folic acid supplements for approximately three months before getting pregnant, and for at least 12 weeks after becoming pregnant.

From BBC

"He was trying to get me hooked on crack so he could do whatever he wanted to me," one of the women told the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• arduous
• demanding
• irritating
• strenuous
• stressful
• taxing
• tricky
• troublesome
• upsetting
• vexing