essay 1 of 2

Definition of essaynext
1
as in article
a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view school essays on what it means to be a patriot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in test
a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty a little homemade essay to determine the easiest way to strip the paint from the bookcase

Synonyms & Similar Words

essay

2 of 2

verb

as in to attempt
to make an effort to do he had been in gymnastics for some time before he even considered essaying that move

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb essay differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of essay are attempt, endeavor, strive, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

When might attempt be a better fit than essay?

While the synonyms attempt and essay are close in meaning, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to essay?

Although the words endeavor and essay have much in common, endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When is strive a more appropriate choice than essay?

While in some cases nearly identical to essay, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

How do try and attempt relate to one another, in the sense of essay?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of essay
Noun
Later turned into a book, the essay was one of the first to give a human face to the world of college sports. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 Her account there is excessive and loose, a counterweight to her essays and memoirs, which can seem opaque and professorial. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Verb
During the last 45 years or so, additional sketches for the finale have surfaced, and a number of musicologists and composers have essayed completions of the movement. Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026 In the process, Tarr essayed an arresting tone poem about spiritual isolation that enraptured viewers. Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for essay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essay
Noun
  • One 2022 article published in the Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy journal predicted oropharyngeal cancer would be among the most common cancers in men by 2045.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • However, following a series of Miami Herald articles detailing flaws in the investigation, including police not following up with key eyewitnesses, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office reexamined the case and charged Pino with felony vessel homicide in October 2024.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Los Angeles appears poised to lose in its attempt to keep $100 million in state grant funding for transportation projects in some of the neediest neighborhoods after a state commission declined to hear the city’s appeal for an extension.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • His endorsements are regarded as a high-risk, but high-reward attempt to reshape Washington politics by sending left-leaning candidates to Congress.
    Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • In another instance, investigators identified a gray button on a test-taker's shirt as a concealed camera.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • What the gut microbiome test results showed The companies gave very different answers about which microbes were present, even though every sample was identical.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Anthropic and the administration have been meeting to try and resolve the issue.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • Suited for layering, try this classic tee for weekends away or long vacations abroad.
    Sarah DiMuro, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • No human journalist was harmed in this experiment.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
  • The Flammability of Materials on the Moon experiment announced its intention to burn various materials on the moon.
    Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Born in Brooklyn, NY, on April 4, 1932, Davis was a striving student who attended New York University on a full scholarship, and graduated magna cum laude.
    Chris Morris, Variety, 22 June 2026
  • Nolan seems to be striving for geographic realism interspersed with violent and fantastic episodes.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Essay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essay. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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