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 George Hodel’s handwriting also resembled that on notes sent by the killer to law enforcement. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026 The issue for many fans was that Jeopardy had previously ruled players incorrect for similarly muddled handwriting. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026 Screenshots of dozens of ballots from those votes provided to the Herald show similar handwriting. — Linda Robertson june 23, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026 Between the many ceasefires, extensions and delays, the handwriting is on the wall. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 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
  • Some three hours into the four-hour drive, the road plunged into a dizzying scribble of hairpin bends, eventually spitting us out into the Colca Valley, where, at the end of 2023, Andean pitched up Puqio.
    — Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
  • Weil, the author of three previous books, alternates between a lengthy letter Silas scribbles to his son, Elisha, a teenager still in Pennsylvania, and a gory reckoning (narrated in the third person) among peaks and gorges during the autumn of 1849.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 June 2026
Definition of scribble
Noun
  • Each strand is like a beautiful clump of calligraphy all tangled up in itself, as captivating and lonely as any earthwork.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • Moreover, the scribes were not content with just writing; ideally, the text should be rendered in beautiful calligraphy and adorned with symbols or images, crafted by monks skilled in this art.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of calligraphy
Noun
  • Keegan was not interested in being figurehead or a legend in the executive boxes, shaking hands and reminiscing about the old days.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • One student pushes a wheelbarrow across the Oakland Cemetery grass while others break up soil, rakes in hand.
    — Nila Roper, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of hand
Noun
  • One suspect wore all black and black sunglasses, while the other sported a green shirt with white lettering and black-and-white sneakers, cops said.
    — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
  • Red, white and green Islamic Republic flags and red banners with lettering calling for revenge lined the route.
    — Marc Smith, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of lettering
Noun
  • The Hollywood Reporter first reported in 2022 that a script was in the works for a third installment.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026
  • Years later, Headey said Weinstein invited her to his hotel to show her a script.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 July 2026
Definition of script
Noun
  • But while in his penmanship, the recipe still has her hands all over it.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
  • Many pointed to an episode from the month prior, where a response from contestant Sadie Goldberger was not accepted because of her penmanship.
    — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026
Definition of penmanship
Noun
  • Deep overhanging eaves cast long shadows across geometric leadlight windows, while thick bands of locally quarried sandstone wrap the base – Griffin’s signature, written not in ink but in stone.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Nolan doesn’t exactly share his hero’s reticence; one of his signature tactics as a writer is to place blocky, boldface ideas in furious opposition.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of signature
Noun
  • The collection also offers a ringer tee, pocket tee and garden tote with an all-over Levi’s x Sky High Farm Goods print.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 July 2026
  • After appearing on the spring-summer 2026 runways at Khaite, Tory Burch, and Altuzarra, this season’s reboot is all about modern silhouettes and fresh styling tricks that make the print feel exciting again.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 July 2026
Definition of print

Phrases Containing handwriting

Browse Nearby Words

hand-wringing
handwriting
handwriting on the wall
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handwriting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handwriting. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on handwriting

Nglish: Translation of handwriting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about handwriting

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