Skip to main content
to essay

to essay

1 7.7
To try something in a careful, experimental way
  • verb
  • /ˈɛseɪ/
  • Formal
translation icon : ensayar
  • They essayed various cooking techniques to perfect the recipe.

Fuid quote aliquid in kiparat to begin essay.

Examples

  • I essayed a restorative deep breath, but the tightness of the whalebone corseting made it come out as a strangled gasp.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • I would not essay to answer that question in either the affirmative or the negative, but as the train inched ever closer to Turkmenistan in 1996, I could not help but reflect upon the "reopening" of the Silk Road as a landmark event, albeit one that was destined to be all but ignored in the United States.

    Academic text (2007)
  • If not, then other less direct methods that have been essayed should not be dismissed out of hand.

    Blog text (20)
  • These deep ethical issues for our planet eclipse the art questions I have essayed.

    Academic text (2001)
  • She essayed a smile, stepping aside so he could enter.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "She gave what she hoped was a convincing laugh, and laying a restraining hand on the stiff-backed figure of Lord Temple, essayed, "I owe Lord Dalmar a debt of gratitude, Gerry."

    Fiction book (1990)
  • After much thought, she decided to essay a new approach to the problem.

  • He essayed to climb the mountain despite the bad weather.

Synonyms

to try
vsto essay
1.0

To make an effort to do something difficult

is used for tentative experimental attempts rather than determined efforts
to attempt
vsto essay
1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is more about tentative experimenting than focused difficult effort
to seek
vsto essay
1.0

Try to find or get something you want

is used for tentative experimental tries rather than targeted searching actions
to give it a try
vsto essay
102 1.7

Try something for the first time to see if you like it

is more about a tentative experiment not just testing ability or liking
to try for
vsto essay
76 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

is about tentative experimenting rather than directed determined effort
to take a shot at
vsto essay
  • Informal
45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is typically a tentative or experimental attempt rather than a goal directed push
to have a go
vsto essay
  • UK
33 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

is used for tentative or experimental efforts rather than casual tries
to take a crack at
vsto essay
  • Informal
16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

is used for tentative experimental tries rather than determined efforts
to have a go at
vsto essay
  • UK
11 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

is more about cautious experimental trying than simple curiosity or practice
to take a stab at
vsto essay
  • Informal
10 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is used for cautious experimental tries rather than confident attempts
to give it a whirl
vsto essay
  • Informal
8 5.8

To try something for the first time to see if it works

is used for tentative or experimental tries rather than only first attempts
to assay
vsto essay
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To try to do something in a careful, unsure way

is the common modern term rather than older literary usage
to have a stab at
vsto essay
  • UK
1 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is more about tentative experimenting rather than planned strong effort
to give a try
vsto essay
1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

is about making tentative experiments rather than firm committed efforts
to give a go
vsto essay
  • UK
1 4.1

To try something, especially something new

is used for tentative experiments even when not only about novelty

Antonyms

401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

324 3.6

To stop or come to an end

Compounds

1 7.8

A business that sells essays for students to hand in as their own work

How Committed

to undertake
190 4.2
to strive
156 3.7
to try
1.0
to essay
  • Formal
1 7.7
to dabble
45 4.8

Surface Forms

essay infinitive
essayed past
essayed past participle
essaying present participle
essays third person singular

Etymology

Essay comes from the old French verb essayer, which means 'to try', so to essay something is to make a careful 'try' or attempt.