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.

A version of this essay originally appeared in Crash Course, Salon's free newsletter of essential stories and political commentary.

From Salon

Rather than his obituaries, readers should go straight to Norman’s autobiographical essays and books.

From The Wall Street Journal

They might even use it to grade essays and provide feedback, zipping through their professorial duties in a fraction of the time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Norman Podhoretz was the author of a dozen or so books and innumerable reviews and essays, all written in clear, unpretentious prose.

From The Wall Street Journal

Alia, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, said she and her 20 overseas classmates struggled with writing long essays during their course at the University of Lincoln – and many soon stopped engaging.

From BBC

essay

Example Sentences

Related Words