try

verb \ ˈtrī \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition of try

tried; trying

intransitive verb

: to make an attempt

you can do it if you try

transitive verb

1 : to make an attempt at —often used with an infinitive

try to fix the car

2 a : to put to test or trial

try one's luck

—often used with out

try out a new method

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

c : demonstrate, prove

3 a : 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

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

try out whale oil from blubber

b obsolete : purify, refine

5 : to fit or finish with accuracy

— try one's hand

: to attempt something for the first time

See try defined for English-language learners

See try defined for kids

Examples of try in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of try from the Web

By trying to outdo each other to build the best lounge.

— CBS News, "The 747 flies into the sunset," 5 Nov. 2017
The doctrine of double effect dates all the way back to the 13th century philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas, who introduced it as a moral justification for self-defense against someone who is trying to kill you.

— scott meslow, GQ, "The Good Place," 3 Nov. 2017
Arsenal tried to respond through Iwobi, who unleashed a fierce drive from the left.

— SI.com, "Man City Brushes Aside Arsenal Thanks to De Bruyne, Agüero and Jesus," 5 Nov. 2017
The armed federal rangers were trying to carry out court orders to impound Bundy cattle illegally grazing on public land near Bunkerville.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Nevada standoff trial: What you need to know," 5 Nov. 2017
Four or five men from our group were trying to push the bus away from the scene.

— guest columnist/cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Remembering D.C. moratorium to end Vietnam war: Jane Schierloh (Opinion)," 5 Nov. 2017
For decades, Saudi kings tried to forge consensus within the sprawling royal family.

— The Economist, "Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented shake-up," 5 Nov. 2017
Bisping tried to fight him off on the floor but could not get himself out of trouble.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Georges St-Pierre beats Michael Bisping to take UFC middleweight title in comeback fight," 5 Nov. 2017
The Flyers will be trying to avenge last Wednesday’s 3-0 loss (with an empty-net goal) in Chicago.

— sam carchidi, Philly.com, "Flyers lose momentum as another slow start hurts in loss to Avalanche," 5 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'try.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of try

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 ¹throw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

try Synonyms

Synonyms

strain, stretch, tax, test

Related Words

demand, exact, importune, press, pressure, push; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get (to), gnaw (at), grate, harass, harry, hassle, irk, irritate, nettle, pain, peeve, pester, rile, spite, vex

Near Antonyms

drop, give up, quit

Synonym Discussion of 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

try

noun

Definition of try

plural tries

1 : an experimental trial : attempt

succeeded on the first try

2 : 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

See try defined for English-language learners

Examples of try in a Sentence

was granted another try at the field goal

Recent Examples of try from the Web

Brought low by his own blunders, Dixon finally pauses to reflect on the words of his mentor, counseling him to put aside hate and give calm consideration a try.

— david rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Notebook: Sam Rockwell Stretches and Surprises in 'Three Billboards'," 27 Nov. 2017
But such was not the case in three tries to the end zone on Saturday, Richt said.

— walter villa, miamiherald, "Darrell Langham one of several Hurricanes players coming of age | Miami Herald," 15 Oct. 2017
Graycen Kennedy had just nailed two field goals and the Lumberjacks had missed their field-goal try, giving the Vikings' hot offense the ball with a chance to take a second half lead.

— special to the oregonian, OregonLive.com, "Portland State Vikings still winless after loss to Northern Arizona," 14 Oct. 2017
One other nod to youth and the league-wide stretch-four trend is this: The former Michigan State standout attempted 94 3-pointers, the second most of his career (97 tries in 2008-09).

— ailene voisin, sacbee, "Zach Randolph seeks fresh start with Kings, wants to forget being ‘wrongfully arrested’," 25 Sep. 2017
Dozens of Wyandotte members have given virtual-reality workouts a try, including 73-year-old Judy Herman, who was an office manager at the gym before retiring in 2015.

— sarah e. needleman, WSJ, "Working Up a Real Sweat With VR," 19 Sep. 2017
And that media play try to follow rules of objectivity that the right-wing alternative media does not bother with.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "The Only Problem in American Politics Is the Republican Party," 10 Sep. 2017
Nomar Mazara brought in an insurance run in the seventh by beating out the back end of a double-play try, scoring Robinson Chirinos.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Bullpen unravels as Angels stun Rangers," 2 Sep. 2017
In pursuit of his fifth championship, Dixon is well within striking distance of Newgarden and heads to New York the odds-on favorite to win for a fifth time in eight tries.

— jim ayello, USA TODAY Sports, "IndyCar at Watkins Glen: Story lines to watch," 1 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of try

1832

try Synonyms

Synonyms

assay [archaic], bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, attempt, whack, whirl

Related Words

striving, struggle, throes, undertaking; trial and error

TRY Defined for English Language Learners

try

verb

Definition of try for English Language Learners

: to make an effort to do something : to attempt to accomplish or complete something
: to do or use (something) in order to see if it works or will be successful
: to do or use (something) in order to find out if you like it

try

noun

Definition of try for English Language Learners

: an effort or attempt to do something
rugby : a play in which points are scored by touching the ground with the ball behind the opponent's goal line

TRY Defined for Kids

try

verb \ ˈtrī \

Definition of try for Students

tried \ˈtrīd\; trying

1 : to make an effort or attempt at

He tries to remain calm.

Try calling her.

2 : to put to a test

Have you ever tried artichokes?

You might try this key in the lock.

3 : to examine or investigate in a court of law

They were tried for murder.

4 : to conduct the trial of

An experienced judge will try the case.

5 : to test to the limit

The children are trying my patience.

— try on

: to put on (a garment) to test the fit

— try out

: to compete to fill a part (as on an athletic team or in a play)

try

noun

Definition of try for Students

plural tries

: an effort to do something : attempt

It took several tries, but I finally scored.

Medical Dictionary

Try

abbreviation

medical Definition of Try

tryptophan

Law Dictionary

try

transitive verb

legal Definition of try

tried; trying

1 : 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