Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun essay

2 senses of essay

Sense 1
essay -- (an analytic or interpretive literary composition)
       => writing, written material, piece of writing -- (the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect); "the writing in her novels is excellent"; "that editorial was a fine piece of writing")

Sense 2
essay -- (a tentative attempt)
       => attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try -- (earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb essay

2 senses of essay

Sense 1
try, seek, attempt, essay, assay -- (make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world")
       => act, move -- (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel")

Sense 2
test, prove, try, try out, examine, essay -- (put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to; "This approach has been tried with good results"; "Test this recipe")
       => evaluate, pass judgment, judge -- (form a critical opinion of; "I cannot judge some works of modern art"; "How do you evaluate this grant proposal?" "We shouldn't pass judgment on other people")