trial

trial

noun

Definition of TRIAL

1

a test of faith, patience, or strength <living with her insufferable relatives was a real trial>

Synonyms cross, crucible, fire, gauntlet (also gantlet), ordeal

Related Words baptism, initiation; adversity, affliction, asperity, misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap, privation, tragedy, tribulation, trouble, vicissitude, woe; acid test, litmus test; challenge, complication, difficulty, grief, grievance, hardship, rigor; annoyance, discomfort, inconvenience, nuisance

Phrases baptism of fire

2

a private performance or session in preparation for a public appearance <ran another trial of the aerial performance before opening night>

Synonyms dry run, practice (also practise), trial

Related Words dress rehearsal; preview; run-through, walk-through; drill, exercise

3

a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty <trials by medical researchers haven't determined whether the medication is safe or not>

Synonyms essay, experimentation, test, trial

Related Words trial and error; dry run, shakedown; exercise, practice (also practise), rehearsal, tryout, workout; crucible, ordeal; attempt, effort, try

4

an effort to do or accomplish something <will rest and make another trial at climbing the mountain>

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

Related Words striving, struggle, throes, undertaking; trial and error

5

something that is a source of irritation <trying to have a coherent phone conversation with his senile father was always a trial>

Synonyms aggravation, aggro [British], bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation

Related Words discomfort, fleabite, pinprick; affront, insult, offense (or offence); upset, worry; affliction, albatross, burden, cross, curse, menace, millstone, plague, sore; anxiety, plight, predicament, tribulation, trouble; hang-up, pet peeve, problem; annoyer, disturber, harasser, mischief, offender; pandora's box

Near Antonyms delight, joy, pleasure