💪 To attempt 💪 An attempt 🧪 To test ⚖️ To judge in court 😤 To challenge limits 🍲 To taste 🥓 To melt fat

to try

∞ 1.0

To make an effort to do something difficult

verb
/traɪ/

: intentar

I don't have to try to memorize a word.
try to get
try hard
try to understand

We don't go through life trying to create emotions.

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Examples

Birth parents should try to stay in touch.
He will try to solve the puzzle by using all the clues he has gathered.
OK, so we're going to try to just do this.

iJustine
One must still try to find the way.

Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy
I am going to try to find this.
We could, like... try it if you want.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Sorry, you just have to sit here and try as hard as you can.

Academic text (2015)
You can think about that, and let's try to get to this.
Don't worry, just try again.

Jacket (2018)
Thus, it is very important for the speaker to try to keep the enunciation natural.

Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to fight

vsto try

∞ 1.0

To try hard to oppose or overcome something difficult

is the general effort word without emphasis on struggle or opposition

to attempt

vsto try

∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is the common word for general effort in many situations

to seek

vsto try

∞ 1.0

Try to find or get something you want

is the broad action word whereas this focuses on searching or obtaining

to push

vsto try

731 1.5

To try hard to achieve something, especially against difficulty

is the broader effort word not always implying forceful action

to work at

vsto try

489 2.3

To try hard to get better at or finish something over time

is the simple effort verb not always implying long term repeated action

to go for

vsto try

272 2.5

To try to get something you want by making an effort

is the general effort word not limited to seeking or obtaining

to strive

vsto try

156 3.7

To work very hard to reach a goal

is the general effort term without emphasis on prolonged intense struggle

to give it a try

vsto try

102 1.7

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

is the general action not limited to first time experiments

to try for

vsto try

76 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

is the broader act of effort not always directed at getting something

to go out of one's way

vsto try

Informal

53 3.5

Make a special effort to do something, often to help someone

is the general effort word not always about making special extra efforts

to put forth

vsto try

45 4.1

To try hard to do something

is the general word for effort not necessarily indicating initiative or display

to take a shot at

vsto try

Informal

45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is the general action regardless of how likely success may be

to push it

vsto try

Informal

39 5.3

To try very hard to do more than usual

is the normal effort meaning not necessarily exceeding usual limits

to endeavor

vsto try

32 5.2

To try hard to do something, especially when it is difficult

is the neutral effort word not always implying earnest seriousness

to go to great lengths

vsto try

26 4.1

Try very hard to make something happen

is the normal effort word not specifically indicating extreme measures

to take a crack at

vsto try

Informal

16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

is a normal effort not implying expertise or guaranteed success

to try our best

vsto try

14 2.1

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

is the general action not specifically about group maximum effort

to have a go at

vsto try

11 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

is the usual effort not only about taking a casual chance

to take a stab at

vsto try

Informal

10 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is the general effort not necessarily tentative or casual

to move heaven and earth

vsto try

Informal

7 4.2

Do everything you can to achieve something important

is the ordinary effort term not always implying extreme or miraculous measures

to fight a losing battle

vsto try

Informal

4 6.5

Try very hard to do something even though you will probably fail

is the ordinary effort term not implying likely failure or futility

to put out

vsto try

3 5.0

Make a lot of effort to do something

is the broad effort term not focused on causing strain or inconvenience

to put one's shoulder to the wheel

vsto try

Informal

2 7.5

To start working very hard to reach a goal

is the general effort action not specifically about hard sustained labour

to spare no effort

vsto try

2 3.9

Do everything possible to achieve something

is the regular effort word not always about doing absolutely everything possible

to essay

vsto try

Formal

1 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

is the general effort word not limited to tentative experimental trials

to assay

vsto try

Archaic

1 9.9

To try to do something in a careful, unsure way

is the general everyday effort word not the rare literary testing form

to have a stab at

vsto try

1 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is the usual act of effort not only cautious hesitant attempts

to go to the ends of the earth

vsto try

1 5.9

To try very hard and do anything to achieve something

is the general effort term not necessarily promising absolute exhaustive measures

to do one's best

vsto try

1 2.5

To try as hard as you can to do something well

is the general effort term not always demanding absolute maximum energy

to give a try

vsto try

1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

is the broad action not only for quick checks or tests

to give a go

vsto try

1 4.1

To try something, especially something new

is the simple act of effort not necessarily experimental or new

to do one's damnedest

vsto try

NSFW

1 8.6

To try very hard to do something

is the usual effort term not necessarily extreme or all-out

to put one's darnedest

vsto try

Informal

7.8

To try as hard as possible to do something

is the common effort word not focused on absolute maximum force

to make a fist of

vsto try

8.2

Try hard to do a difficult task and succeed a little

is the common effort term not specifically about partial success after struggle

Antonyms

to give up

∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to abandon

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

Idioms

to try our best

14 2.1

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

on the first try

7 3.1

Succeeding the first time you try something

to try it on the dog

Informal

9.5

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

Phrasal Verbs

to try again

461 1.0

Do something one more time after you fail

to try out

229 2.8

To test something to see how it works

to try it on

144 3.0

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

to give it a try

102 1.7

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

to try for

76 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

to try out

64 2.8

To compete to be chosen for a role or team

to try on

56 1.1

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

to try to scam

Informal

5 5.8

Attempt to trick someone and take their money

to give a try

1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

to try a restaurant

1.5

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

Compounds

try-on

6 3.7

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

try square

Specialized

6.2

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

How Hard

to persist

62 3.7

to strive

156 3.7

endeavor

171 4.1

to try

∞ 1.0

attempt

∞ 1.0

to have a go

33 4.3

Surface Forms

try infinitive

tried past

tried past participle

trying present participle

tries third person singular

Etymology

Try comes from an old French word trier meaning 'to pick out' or 'test'. A helpful way to remember this sense is to see a try as a small 'test' or effort to see if you can do something.