try
verb
\ ˈtrī
\
\
tried;
trying
Definition of try
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to make an attempt
you can do it if you try
1
: to make an attempt at
—often used with an infinitive try to fix the car
2a
: 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
3a
: 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
4a
: to melt down and procure in a pure state : render
try out whale oil from blubber
5
: to fit or finish with accuracy
try one's hand
: to attempt something for the first time
try
noun
plural tries
Definition of try (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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Synonyms for try
Synonyms: Verb
Synonyms: Noun
assay [archaic], attempt, bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, whack, whirl
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Examples of try in a Sentence
Verb
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.Noun
was granted another try at the field goal
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Get your picture taken with the Live Pegasus or try your hand at Pickle Jousting. — Michigan Renaissance Festival, Detroit Free Press, "Eat, drink and be Mary (Queen of Scots) at Michigan Renaissance Festival," 15 Aug. 2019 At the latter, craft with soapstone beads, try basket weaving and play Chumash Native American games. — Sara Cagle, Los Angeles Times, "Elvis impersonators, LEGO fan fest and L.A.'s 238th birthday coming up," 14 Aug. 2019 Many people try over-the-counter or prescribed sleep aids. — Shahab Haghayegh, Quartzy, "The science of why a warm bath before bed helps you sleep," 14 Aug. 2019 At first, election officials tried to ban the Moscow candidates from the local elections; when that didn’t work, authorities started arresting those opposition leaders and protesters. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "The pro-democracy protests rocking Moscow, explained," 13 Aug. 2019 The White House's Office of Management and Budget has been trying to kill the space station. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Alabama space center will manage NASA’s lunar lander program," 13 Aug. 2019 City leaders have been trying since 1998 to bring vitality back to the neighborhood through an urban renewal area. — oregonlive.com, "Portland readies another round of Lents Town Center development," 13 Aug. 2019 Authorities have been trying to piece together a motive and other factors that led to the mass shooting Aug. 4. — CBS News, "Police split on whether Dayton, Ohio, gunman targeted sister," 13 Aug. 2019 Many people try over-the-counter or prescribed sleep aids. — Shahab Haghayegh, The Conversation, "Want better sleep? Try a warm bath or shower 1-2 hours before bedtime, study suggests," 13 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The show is there as Carlson and members of the Zoo’s veterinary staff try to figure out how to deal with the sluggishness and loss of appetite that turn out to be the result of a heart condition. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Beneath all the warm fuzzies, new Animal Planet series on San Diego Zoo an eye-opening look at conservation," 14 Aug. 2019 Captain Michael Leitch scored two tries as Japan beat the United States, 34-20, to claim the Pacific Nations Cup rugby title in Suva, Fiji, for the first time . . . — BostonGlobe.com, "Sam Mikulak wins sixth US men’s gymnastics championship," 11 Aug. 2019 Ultimately, a portable defibrillator at the school shocked the child’s heart back into rhythm, but only after the second try. — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Inside the critical moments of a football tragedy," 8 Aug. 2019 After Clear Falls pieced together three straight points to knot Game 5 at 8-8, a service error and a kill try that sailed wide put the hosts back in front by two. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Clear Falls opens new volleyball season with defeat in marathon match," 8 Aug. 2019 The conceptual landscaping plan covering both major roadways should be ready in six-to-nine months, according to a staff report, setting the stage for another mail ballot try late next year. — Steve Dreyer, Pomerado News, "Poway council orders landscape map in advance of new LMD ballots," 7 Aug. 2019 The other ways of scoring include a conversion kick for two more points after a team has scored with a try. — Rod Stafford Hagwood, sun-sentinel.com, "Don’t know anything about rugby? Doesn’t matter. You can still play on the beach this summer.," 2 Aug. 2019 The federal government pushed back on the first two proposals for paying for the program, and sponsors dragged the third try across the finish line during the final days of the 2019 legislative session. — Anna Staver, The Denver Post, "Colorado gets federal OK for program expected to lower marketplace health care premiums 18%," 31 July 2019 Another noteworthy try is the Soo Grand Cru (6.7%), a Belgian witbier with plenty of orange up front with coriander notes. — Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan's Upper Peninsula: The top 7 breweries you must visit," 24 July 2019These 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.