the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adj. Adapted to try, or put to severe trial; severe; afflictive.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
Of a kind to test severely or thoroughly; difficult; severe: as, a trying ordeal; trying circumstances; a color trying to one's complexion.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adj. extremely irritating to the nerves
adj. hard to endure
Word Usage
"It ends up like that General in New Orleans, trying *trying* to get important information out about disaster preparedness, having to face reflexively antagonistic journalists and famously pronouncing, "You're stuck on stupid.""