trying
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- tryingly adverb
- tryingness noun
- untrying adjective
Etymology
Origin of trying
First recorded in 1570–80 for the sense “attempting”; 1710–20 for the current sense; try + -ing 2
Explanation
Use the adjective trying to describe an experience that is exasperating or difficult. Babysitting rascally kids for hours can be a trying ordeal. If you've had a trying week, you'll be relieved and happy when Friday night finally arrives. Trying things can be upsetting, tricky, or strenuous. This word comes from a sense of the verb try that means "to make severe demands on a person, or on a person's patience." The first recorded use of trying was in the early 18th century.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ferrari is trying to give the people what they want—maybe too hard.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
"It's not a surprise that these things are getting rolled out and ultimately trying to make as much money as possible," Concannon added.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
“Especially, when I spent so many years trying to become what I thought people wanted. And the whole time, what people wanted was what I thought was undesirable.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Amazon appears to be trying to build its own space-based broadband network —a field currently dominated by Elon Musk’s Starlink.
From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026
I turn away and count and breathe, count and breathe, trying to loosen the tangled lump, determined not to let anything mess with my calm.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
