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Definition of trynext

try

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb try differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of try are attempt, endeavor, essay, and strive. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," 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

When can attempt be used instead of try?

In some situations, the words attempt and try are roughly equivalent. However, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to try?

The synonyms endeavor and try are sometimes interchangeable, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When is essay a more appropriate choice than try?

The words essay and try can be used in similar contexts, but essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When is it sensible to use strive instead of try?

While the synonyms strive and try are close in meaning, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of try
Verb
As two other agents rushed toward her window, gesturing at her and trying to open the vehicle’s door, Ross walked to the front of her vehicle. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026 Weiser, who is running for governor in this year’s election, characterized the attacks as Trump trying to leverage the power of the executive branch to exercise unconstitutional authority over how individual states conduct elections and oversee their criminal justice systems. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Chocolate Brownie Batter flavor was my first try, mostly because any brand that claims something tastes like licking brownie batter off the spoon must be challenged. Samantha Leal, Refinery29, 6 Jan. 2026 Frana learned about Tesdell’s perennial crop and decided to give it a try. Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for try
Recent Examples of Synonyms for try
Verb
  • The woman running the daycare had attempted life-saving measures on the child before emergency services arrived, First Alert 4 reported.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Rushing to get on board with your carry-on may seem like a good idea (there’s only so much overhead bin space, after all), but attempting to take shortcuts during the boarding process can actually delay your travels even more.
    Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Just as Victor appeared to break open, Jackson leaped into the air, stretched his right arm skyward and pulled down a dazzling one-handed catch at the 3-yard line.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association, which represents hundreds of air cargo companies, said flight reductions will worsen the disruption already being felt across the aviation sector as the federal government shutdown stretches on.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Mike, played by a rangy, companionable Hugh Jackman, is a striving singer in Milwaukee who has battled the bottle, cannot consistently pay his mortgage, and keeps himself going by appearing at the state fair dressed up to look (and sound) like Don Ho.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Everybody loves putting on those Nora Efron classics, and the filmmakers here were striving to make something that was a modern answer to those that was in discussion with When Harry Met Sally and those greats.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But the billionaire has pushed back against guardrails for Grok within the firm, one source with knowledge of the situation at xAI told CNN.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
  • More than three months after a fire destroyed more than a dozen businesses in a shopping center in Colorado's Nederland community, many residents are still pushing for the debris to be cleaned up.
    Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Henderson County Sheriff's Office remains committed to seeking justice for victims and their families—no matter how much time has passed.
    Nathalie Marie Palacios, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • One of the state's most experienced former lawmakers seeks to return to the Arkansas House, but faces opposition from a first-time candidate unimpressed by the record the veteran left behind.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This year's midterm elections will test efforts by the emboldened to pull both parties to their edges.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Also, with Christian Rozeboom set to test the open market in March, the Panthers have an immediate need in the starting lineup opposite Wallace.
    Mike Kaye January 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Tommy has opposed the offshore well from the start — a gamble with only a 10% chance of success — and the disagreement has long strained his relationship with Cami.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • These policies impose devastating costs on American citizens, weakening our economy, increasing the national debt, straining public budgets and tearing families apart.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.
    Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.
    Ali Pantony, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/try. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on try

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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