tryhard

plural tryhards · alternative try-hard

1. derogatoryinformalA person usually of little talent who tries hard to succeed, especially through imitation, usually to gain fame or popularity.
2. video gamesA person who is perceived as putting too much effort into something recreational, such as a game.

   I'm going to try as hard as I—I'm going to be the sweatiest fucking tryhard in this server. I'm going to kill you.

   2013 July 20, STAR_, 3:43 from the start, in TF2: Jerma is Mad pt.2, spoken by Jerma985, via YouTube, archived from the original on 02 Aug 2020

comparative more tryhard · superlative most tryhard · alternative try-hard

1. derogatoryDone to excess, to an embarrassing degree.

   Synonyms: overcooked

2. derogatoryvideo gamesPerceived as putting too much effort into something recreational, such as a game.

   They are being so tryhard right now.

present singular third person tryhards · participle present tryharding · participle past tryharded · past tryharded · alternative try-hard

1. intransitivevideo gamesTo put perhaps too much effort into a recreational activity, typically a game.

   If you’re looking to have fun while tryharding in One For All, you can’t go wrong with Malphite.

   2022 April 1, “Best League of Legends champs to pick in One For All game mode”, in DotEsports, archived from the original on 08 Apr 2022

   2 more examples

   Tryhard like you’ve never tryharded before. If you don’t get called a tryhard in game, you’re not tryharding enough. OK, so maybe don’t go overboard but, if you want to take ranked seriously this season, be sure to start off on the right foot.

   2018 January 16, Ryan Gilliam, “What should you expect your new rank to be?”, in The Rift Herald, archived from the original on 29 Aug 2022

   Some people view tryhards negatively since more casual players can get instantly overwhelmed by people in matchmaking that are hard-pressed to win rather than to just have fun. But that’s where an important distinction is being asked: is tryharding the same as simply trying to win.

   2020 August 17, Alan Bernal, “Have tryhards ruined gaming? Viral video divides opinion”, in Dexerto