try

1 of 2

verb

ˈtrī

tried; trying

Synonyms of try next

intransitive verb

: to make an attempt

you can do it if you try

transitive verb

: to make an attempt at

—often used with an infinitive

try to fix the car

: to put to test or trial

try one's luck

—often used with out

try out a new method

: to subject to something (such as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance

: demonstrate, prove

: to examine or investigate judicially

try a case

b(1)

: to conduct the trial of

(2)

: to participate as counsel in the judicial examination of

: to melt down and procure in a pure state : render

try out whale oil from blubber

obsolete : purify, refine

: to fit or finish with accuracy

try

2 of 2

noun

plural tries

: an experimental trial : attempt

succeeded on the first try

: a play in rugby that is similar to a touchdown in football, scores usually five points, and entitles the scoring side to attempt a placekick at the goal for additional points

also : the score made on a try

Phrases

try one's hand

: to attempt something for the first time

Choose the Right Synonym for try

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.

afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end.

attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

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

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Examples of try in a Sentence

Verb I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try. Keep trying. You can do it. You can do it if you try hard enough. “He said he can beat you.” “I'd like to see him try!” I tried, but I just couldn't do it. “She's not in the office now.” “OK. I'll try again later.” I don't know where she is. Try calling her on her cell phone. He tried a few things to remove the stain, but nothing worked. Did you try restarting the computer? If you want to lose weight, try exercising more. Noun was granted another try at the field goal

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Verb

The 49ers were working to try to get ahead of the story. —

Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 Microsoft salespeople had been trying, unsuccessfully, for years to convince federal customers to upgrade to the G5. —

Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024

Noun

An elderly man passing by asks Lorber about the model of his ‘scope while two EMTs carrying a stretcher try to maneuver past our small group. —

Abbey Stone, SELF, 31 Oct. 2024 Every day, consumers are breaking down and giving one of these tools a try and, intrigued by the results, might try again for another task. —

Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for try

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English trien, from Anglo-French trier to select, sort, examine, determine, probably from Late Latin tritare to grind, frequentative of Latin terere to rub — more at throw entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of try was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing try

Cite this Entry

Style

“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/try. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

try

1 of 2 verb

ˈtrī

tried; trying

: to make an effort to do

I'll try to do my best

: to examine or investigate in a court of law

try a case

: to conduct the trial of

: to put to a test

try out something new

try your luck

: to test to the limit

you're trying my patience

: to melt down (as tallow) and obtain in a pure state : render

try out whale oil from blubber

try

2 of 2 noun

plural tries

: an effort to do something : attempt

Medical Definition

Try

abbreviation

tryptophan

Legal Definition

try

transitive verb

tried; trying

: to examine or investigate judicially

no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law—

U.S. Constitution amend. VII

in an action tried on the facts without a jury—

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 52(a)

: to conduct the trial of : put on trial

: to participate as lawyer or counsel in the trial of : bring to trial on behalf of a client

was unqualified to try death penalty cases

Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French trier to choose, sort, ascertain, examine judicially, from Old French, to choose, sort

Last Updated: 21 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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try

verb

noun

Synonyms

Examples of try in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near try

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition