PEN Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

pen 1 of 5

noun (1)

Definition of pen

as in penitentiary

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody earned six years in a federal pen

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outside

pen

2 of 5

noun (2)

as in cage

an enclosure with an open framework for keeping animals a goat pen

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pen

3 of 5

noun (3)

as in writer

a person who creates a written work Alexander Hamilton is reckoned to be the pseudonymous pen behind two thirds of the Federalist Papers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonauthor

pen

4 of 5

verb (1)

ˈpen

as in to house

to close or shut in by or as if by barriers remember to pen up the dogs when visitors come over

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pen

5 of 5

verb (2)

as in to write

to compose and set down on paper the words of though relatively unknown at the time of his death, the composer had penned some of the most memorable show tunes of his era

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pen

Noun

Many newer business owners still use spreadsheets or pen and paper to record transactions, even though manual bookkeeping can be time-consuming and lead to more errors. — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Also, there’s two insulated water bottle holders, a place to put your pen, a magnetic pocket for a range finder and more. — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

That friend ended up going on to work in the industry, prompting Rich, a former Saturday Night Live and Pixar writer as well as a novelist and essayist, to pen this script. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 In between his remarks and the judge’s reading of his sentence, Ashley’s friends and family read aloud victim impact statements, including two penned by the Flynns’ daughters, who were not present. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pen

Noun

Ker’Sean Ramey, 41, is set to die by lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
LeJames Norman, 40, was put to death by lethal injection Wednesday at the state penitentiary in Huntsville.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of penitentiary

Noun

There’s an irony in this prominent liberal writer’s lack of interest in actual politics — in any kind of collective solidarity that might extend beyond the county line.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Nancy Slonim Aronie, a writer and artist friend on the Vineyard, had a more alarming experience after she was rushed to a hospital in Boston in January for open heart surgery.

— Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of writer

Verb

Tourist attractions abound—from colorful boutique shops to enticing coffee roasters—many housed in the pale-yellow, former government buildings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The museum, leaders announced on Wednesday, will also house a genealogy center that will be intended to help visitors preserve family history through the company FamilySearch.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

Furnari recalled that some of the song’s early music and lyrics came together quickly, but writing words that could do justice to their experience was another matter.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2026
If the student is found responsible, they could be made to compensate for damages in cash or service, write an essay or go to workshops, or be barred from participating in campus events or organizations.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of write

Noun

As an alternative to jail time, the federal prosecutors suggested a year of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine.

— Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
With O’Hare at the helm, the county has redistricted, gone from meeting four times to once a month, privatized rent and utility assistance, reduced the number of polling locations, and seen a steady stream of jail inmate deaths continue.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of jail

Noun

That figure is the first half of the show’s title, the activist, author, and playwright Larry Kramer, who co-founded Gay Men’s Health Crisis and ACT UP and was instrumental in bringing the AIDS crisis to public attention.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Steinbeck’s novel is largely centered around the Hamiltons (who emigrate from Ireland to the author’s beloved Salinas Valley) and the Trasks (who move to California from the East Coast).

— Max Gao, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of author

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pelts

pen

penal

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Pen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pen. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pen

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noun (2)

noun (3)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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