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
  • Hamas has denied trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Swift appears as a spectral figure trying to warn Johnson that, based on her own experience, her rich husband has more sinister intentions than his current bride imagines.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of trying
Verb
  • Although other states have moved forward with attempting to execute inmates a second time, in those cases, the first try had been halted before any drug actually began flowing.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Godrich was attempting to move toward retirement, and Harrison was burnt out.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of attempting
Verb
  • And day by day, play by play, Dunnigan is striving to improve.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These steps are consistent with any institution of excellence that is constantly striving for improvement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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