essay

[es-ey, es-ey, e-sey, e-sey] / ˈɛs eɪ, ˈɛs eɪ, ɛˈseɪ, ɛˈseɪ /

NOUN

written discourse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

article discussion dissertation manuscript paper piece study thesis treatise

STRONG

composition disquisition explication exposition theme tract

Antonyms

WEAK

idleness pass

NOUN

try, attempt

Synonyms

STRONG

aim bid effort endeavor exertion experiment hassle labor shot striving struggle test toil travail trial tryout undertaking venture whack work

WEAK

dry run one's all one's level best try on

Antonyms

STRONG

entertainment fun idleness laziness pastime peace

WEAK

pass

VERB

try, attempt

Synonyms

STRONG

aim assay endeavor labor offer seek strive struggle test toil travail undertake venture work

WEAK

have a crack have a go have a shot have at it make a run at put to the test take a stab at take a whack at take on try out

Antonyms

STRONG

forget idle laze neglect relax rest

WEAK

be idle pass

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Or maybe not so incipiently, according to maritime analyst John Konrad, in his widely read essay partly titled, “What If the U.S. Navy isn’t in a Hurry to Reopen the Strait?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The directors take a visual essay approach, contrasting Walden Pond and its woods and the rivers Thoreau rowed with sped-up footage of our crazy modern world — which can be a little on the nose.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Together, they create a documentary that looks like a moodboard colliding with a fashion archivist’s YouTube video essay.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

The client requested that I rewrite the essay to have a more personal voice—to be more “authentic.”

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

But I can’t help thinking that her personal essay might be more awesome than mine.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

essay

Example Sentences

Related Words