handwriting

noun

ˈhand-ˌrī-tiŋ How to pronounce handwriting (audio)
Definition of handwritingnext
1
as in scribble
the form or style of a particular person's writing she immediately recognized the handwriting on the envelope as that of her old college roommate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in calligraphy
writing done by hand the columnist laments the decline of fine handwriting, as so few people write letters by hand anymore

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 handwriting The support for styluses like the Surface Pen on touch screens is robust, with incredibly smooth handwriting-to-text conversion and pressure sensitivity. — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 The teachers scanned their work and used AI to analyze how their handwriting could improve. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026 Her handwriting and symbol were briefly rendered at football-field scale. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Decades later, Denise Epstein opened a leather case of her mother’s and discovered a manuscript set forth in tiny handwriting. — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handwriting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handwriting
  1. scribble
  2. calligraphy
  3. hand
  4. lettering
  5. script
  6. penmanship
  7. signature
  8. print
Noun
  • The scribble-scratch of a notepad pushed against the silence.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But autos were precarious contraptions at the start of the 20th century, and America’s national system of roads was little more than a faint scribble on the map.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of scribble
Noun
  • Buly is hosting free calligraphy courses in its Central boutique in Hong Kong and in Hong Kong, The Louis is updating two galleries to explore the houses’ love of Art Deco and its ties with China.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Inspired by a Miró retrospective from earlier that year, and having learned about Matisse via Krasner, Pollock trials a variety of marks, from broad, clean planes of blue, orange, and black to jazzy calligraphy.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of calligraphy
Noun
  • Observers say a victory for Yotova would keep the presidency in the hands of the ruling majority.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Back in 2023, Stevens revealed he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves—and was working to relearn how to walk and use his hands.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of hand
Noun
  • There is very little language on the building—only some modest brass lettering recessed into the surface at the ground level.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Huntington’s bright green lettering signage will face South Tryon Street.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of lettering
Noun
  • The same year, the suit alleges agents for Stephenson sent the script to Payne, who declined the project.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • When a woman answered halfway through the evening, Dues scrambled for her script.
    — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of script
Noun
  • The messages, scribbled on whatever scrap of paper a sender could find, often featured misspellings and shaky penmanship; many older residents of rural areas did not know how to read or write well, if at all.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Some handwriting experts wondered whether a lack of panache in penmanship was generational.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of penmanship
Noun
  • Its design also aims to reduce detectable physical signatures and improve protection during operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Electricity has been Fazio’s signature issue in the campaign, and he is recognized as one of the legislature’s leading authorities on the issue as the ranking senator on the energy and technology committee.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of signature
Noun
  • Cabins away from the main house are rustic but comfortable, with Audubon prints, Native American artifacts, and William Morris wallpaper.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The company capitalized on the ballet flat craze by offering the popular style in a full spectrum of colors, prints and customizable options.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of print

Phrases Containing handwriting

Browse Nearby Words

hand-wringing
handwriting
handwriting on the wall
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Cite this Entry

“Handwriting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handwriting. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on handwriting

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about handwriting

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