adj
trying
TRAH-yihng
adj
1
Difficult to endure; testing one's patience.
"It's been a trying week at work, with three deadlines back to back."
"Her constant complaining was trying on everyone's nerves."
How to Use Trying
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a situation or person that is stressful or hard to put up with.
Common mistake
Don't confuse this adjective sense with the plain "-ing" form of the verb try, as in "I am trying to finish this."
Common pairings
a trying time
trying circumstances
Word Forms
more trying comparative, tryings plural, most trying superlative
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It's been a _____ week at work, with three deadlines back to back.