Synonyms of essay

essay 1 of 2

noun

ˈe-ˌsā 

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

• article
• paper
• dissertation
• theme
• thesis
• composition
• treatise
• editorial
• column
• report
• commentary
• feature
• study
• review
• discussion
• write-up
• discourse
• causerie
• tract
• prolegomenon
• exposition

2

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something

my first essay at baking a cake did not go well

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attempt
• try
• endeavor
• bid
• stab
• offer
• assay
• shot
• go
• trial
• pass
• undertaking
• crack
• struggle
• bash
• fling
• whack
• striving
• whirl
• throes
• trial and error

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

• test
• experiment
• experimentation
• trial
• try
• practice
• effort
• attempt
• trial and error
• rehearsal
• exercise
• crucible
• ordeal
• workout
• dry run
• tryout
• shakedown

essay

2 of 2

verb

e-ˈsā 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attempt
• try
• strive
• endeavor
• assay
• shoot at
• seek
• work
• have a go at
• hope
• struggle
• try one's hand (at)
• aim
• fight
• trouble
• toil
• undertake
• aspire
• take up
• assume
• strain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quit
• drop
• give up

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

Recent Examples of essay

Noun

In her application essay, Madison shared why Haynes is one of her inspirations. —Janelle Burrell, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Robin Givhan has an essay in the New York Times on Derrick Adams that starts with his bright paintings of Black leisure and ends somewhere much heavier. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Verb

In the process, Tarr essayed an arresting tone poem about spiritual isolation that enraptured viewers. —Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026

That reality will be seen at Ventana Sur, as directors themselves essay genre mixes. —John Hopewell, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025