essaying

verb

present participle of essay
as in trying
to make an effort to do he had been in gymnastics for some time before he even considered essaying that move

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 essaying The four-man group plays and sings with equal verve whether essaying its own engaging songs or classics by Bill Monroe, The Carter Family and The Stanley Brothers. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essaying
  1. trying
  2. attempting
  3. striving
Verb
  • There are pros and cons to trying to build strategies based on avoiding specific companies, noted Warren Hurt, chief investment officer at F&M Trust.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • After decades of American poobahs trying to hook mainstream viewers to watch, this feelgood story is finally doing it.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Definition of trying
Verb
  • Zach Neto walked to begin the inning but got picked off at first base attempting to steal second.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • This year, Washington, DC, is attempting to celebrate the milestone by breaking a Guiness World Record on the Fourth of July for the largest fireworks display.
    — Staff report, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of attempting
Verb
  • As such, Daoism maintains its complex and diverse nature well into the modern era, still striving to bring it all back into balance with the Dao.
    — Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • For businesses striving to compete, partnerships can become a structural advantage.
    — Yevhen Parokhod, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of striving

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essayed
essaying
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Cite this Entry

“Essaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essaying. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on essaying

Nglish: Translation of essaying for Spanish Speakers

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