trying

[ trahy-ing ]
See synonyms for trying on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. extremely annoying, difficult, or the like; straining one's patience and goodwill to the limit: a trying day; a trying experience.

Origin of trying

1
First recorded in 1570–80 for the sense “attempting”; 1710–20 for the current sense; try + -ing2

Other words for trying

Other words from trying

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

Words Nearby trying

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use trying in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trying

trying

/ (ˈtraɪɪŋ) /


adjective
  1. upsetting, difficult, or annoying: a trying day at the office

Derived forms of trying

  • tryingly, adverb
  • tryingness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012