1
as in handwriting
the form or style of a particular person's writing
doctors are famous for their illegible penmanship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in calligraphy
writing done by hand
the students spend far more time honing their computer skills than they do improving their penmanship
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 penmanship
Who doesn’t dream of making beeswax candles, topping naked cakes with berries and writing on labels with picture-perfect penmanship?
—
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Inspired by her penmanship, the Crayola crayons came in handy as people sketched absentmindedly on paper surfaces throughout the meal.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
The book appears to have all of its original pages, which are covered with tidy penmanship.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
Learning cursive used to be standard in classrooms across the United States, with penmanship graded.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penmanship
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Inspired by her penmanship, the Crayola crayons came in handy as people sketched absentmindedly on paper surfaces throughout the meal.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
The book appears to have all of its original pages, which are covered with tidy penmanship.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
Learning cursive used to be standard in classrooms across the United States, with penmanship graded.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penmanship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penmanship
Noun
-
In the wake of that decision, the Louisiana legislature, after losing before multiple courts, saw the handwriting on the wall and drew a new map that provided for a second majority-Black district.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
27 June 2025
-
Back in the game, the blue players enter a room with a starry ceiling and brick walls covered in childish handwriting and drawings.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
To the tune of upbeat music, the clip showed Meghan writing a special message in her signature calligraphy, before footage flashed of her carrying plates with food in her hands, spending time in her garden and standing on a bridge with Princess Lilibet. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
28 June 2025
-
Those images are not on view here, only his elegant tripartite scene of women in the latest fashions, practicing the four arts of stringed instruments, strategy games, calligraphy, and painting.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penmanship. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share