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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The bullpen’s 16 blown saves were tied for fourth-worst, and the rotation’s 24 quality starts were tied for sixth-worst, meaning more work for the ’pen. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026 By a simple stroke of a pen, Meta gives you 100 points, or almost 20%. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 July 2026

Verb

The two-time Emmy winner penned 10 episodes of Vince Gilligan’s landmark crime series before staying with Sony/AMC to shepherd four seasons of the genre-bending Preacher. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026 On Monday, following the news of Neill’s passing, Ceberano shared the same photo on her Instagram and penned a heartfelt tribute. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pen

Noun

Hodge says he was abused in multiple federal penitentiaries, but was frequently blocked from filing complaints about it.

— Christie Thompson, NPR, 13 July 2026
The red-brick Hoshinoya Nara Prison was built in 1908 and, as its name makes quite clear, was previously a penitentiary.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of penitentiary

Noun

In summer 2026, fashion brands are offering less and less chunky sandals and instead leaning into minimalist cage-toe designs and thin ankle straps that delicately wrap around the foot.

— René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 3 July 2026
Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar race in Washington and past events including a UFC Freedom 250 cage-fighting event June 14.

— Josh Meyer, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of cage

Noun

Rafael Peña is a travel journalist and writer whose work appears in Travel + Leisure, Cruise Critic, and The Miami Herald, a partnership with DETOUR.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Co-writer Barrett is the creator of Friday Beers and co-founder of Almost Friday Media, who, in 2020, formed the company’s original sketch comedy crew of Liam Cullagh, Angus, Chet Collins and Billy Langdon.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 July 2026

Definition of writer

Verb

An inmate housed in the medical unit at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center near Elk Grove died early Tuesday after deputies found the person unresponsive in a cell, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
The bespoke trunk, and the coveted trophy housed inside, will make their way to the pitch for the first time at the final game of the competition, which takes place next Sunday in New Jersey.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 14 July 2026

Definition of house

Verb

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), who co-wrote the legislation that expanded the film and television tax credit, says that the cap appears to have been an oversight, and that members believed the film program was exempt.

— Gio Insignares, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Kolmogorov wrote the formal proof himself and submitted it for publication with Karatsuba listed as the lead author.

— Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

Definition of write

Noun

Young is being held in the Wyandotte County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond, according to the jail’s inmate listing.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
That includes more than $1 billion to renovate the troubled Rice Street jail and a $300 million commitment to building a new hospital in southern Fulton County.

— Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of jail

Noun

The virus is shed in wild bird saliva, nasal secretions and feces, so even droppings near the coop can carry it.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Replace bedding completely, deep-clean the coop floor, walls, roosts and boxes, inspect hardware cloth and latches and check each bird individually for signs of illness or injury.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026

Definition of coop

Noun

Seuss Studios, for example, is a new imprint that allows diverse authors to pull unused Geisel illustrations and use them in new children’s books.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Comment Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 July 2026

Definition of author

Browse Nearby Words

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 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pen

noun (1)

noun (2)

noun (3)

verb (1)

verb (2)

Example Sentences

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