to try

Examples

• All

• Standing in line for hours can try anyone's endurance, especially in the heat.

• The long hike will really try your stamina and determination as you climb the steep mountains.

• Sending me away was easier than trying to understand who I was.

  The Nun II (2023)

• I'm just trying to help you guys out.

  Hit Man (2024)

• But much was left unsaid during those years, and I am trying to make up for them.

  Academic text (2008)

• They're trying to keep a horrible truth from getting out.

  Werewolf Cabal (2022)

• Trying to improve education simply by requiring tests is like trying to eliminate crime by making it illegal.

  Academic text (2015)

• Another mother expressed frustration about trying to organize an SCD advocacy group.

  Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

P

to push to the limit

vsto try

7 5.1

Make a person or thing work as hard as possible until they cannot keep going

focuses on testing or challenging limits rather than self-driven maximum effort

S

to stress

vsto try

4 3.4

To make someone or something work near its limits

typically brings strain or distress rather than neutral testing

P

to push it to the limit

vsto try

• Informal

1 7.2

Use all your energy and take big risks to test your skill

tests or challenges limits but does not imply using all energy or taking risks

O

to overstretch

vsto try

1 5.5

To push someone or something beyond what they can manage

tests or challenges limits rather than always going beyond them

Antonyms

C

to comfort

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

Idioms

T

to try our best

14 2.1

To make as much effort as you can to reach a goal

O

on the first try

7 3.1

Succeeding the first time you try something

T

to try it on the dog

• Informal

9.5

Test something first with a small group before using it more widely

Phrasal Verbs

T

to try again

461 1.0

Do something one more time after you fail

T

to try out

229 2.8

To test something to see how it works

T

to try it on

144 3.0

To put on clothes to check if they fit and how they look

G

to give it a try

102 1.7

Try something for the first time to see if you like it

T

to try for

76 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

T

to try out

64 2.8

To compete to be chosen for a role or team

T

to try on

56 1.1

To put on clothes to see if they fit or look good

T

to try to scam

• Informal

5 5.8

Attempt to trick someone and take their money

G

to give a try

1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

T

to try a restaurant

1.5

To visit and eat at a restaurant to see what it is like

Compounds

T

try-on

6 3.7

An act of putting on clothes to see if they fit or look good

T

try square

• Specialized

6.2

A metal tool with a ruler and handle for checking right angles in wood or metal

How Stressful

to overwhelm

88 3.9

to try

∞ 2.6

to tax

65 5.8

to bother

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology