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

The pair had worked together on a 2006 musical production of “The Notebook” and she said Teal was “the kind of guy who could light up a room without trying.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s about a guy who’s trying to kill the memory of a woman who left him.

From Los Angeles Times

"The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door," Trump declared.

From Salon

"I know where he is trying to go with this," replied Rayner before going on to defend Reeves.

From BBC

But after six weeks of trying to arrange sessions, Kelly asked for a refund which was eventually returned.

From BBC

Related Words

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