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

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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

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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 Little is more magical than opening the mailbox and seeing the handwriting of a loved one. Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Investigators collected handwriting samples from dozens of people, and all the individuals tested were excluded except for Patsy, whom examiners were unable to eliminate as the possible author. Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026 In the first half of the 20th century, penmanship was often taught as a distinct subject in American elementary schools, where children could spend as much as 45 minutes a day on handwriting instruction and practice. Mary Jean Tecce Decarlo, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 Since her death on August 31, 1997, many of her letters—written in her famous handwriting—have gone up for auction. Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handwriting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handwriting
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
Noun
  • The kingdom’s painters gave their canvases to palm trees and dates, dhows and calligraphy, while crude merely paid for the paint.
    Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Even Koguchi, who grew up in Japan, said watching such a large-scale live calligraphy performance was a rare experience for her.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The whole was topped not by a cupola or a cross but a small pennant, on which the Festival emblem had been drawn in crayons in a rather amateurish hand.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Starting out with just $1,000 in starting capital, the tech pioneer decided to drop out of college to pursue his vision of putting computers directly in the hands of users.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Just after 1pm, John, 54, is standing across from the Ironopolis lettering.
    Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Another man was wearing a black baseball cap, a black Nike T-shirt with orange lettering and a piece of artwork, and floral shorts.
    Joe Brandt, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Dauberman, the scribe behind the hit It and Annabelle horror movies, wrote the initial script for the project, which then caught the attention of Lin, who is best known for his work on the Fast & Furious action movies.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • That script landed in the lap of filmmaker Michael Lewen, and the two collaborated on writing a feature for Lewen to direct.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Concerns over child development, too much access In the survey, parents expressed concerns for the development of their children’s fine motor skills and penmanship, while others focused on worries regarding access to AI and apps like YouTube.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In the first half of the 20th century, penmanship was often taught as a distinct subject in American elementary schools, where children could spend as much as 45 minutes a day on handwriting instruction and practice.
    Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, quite the mouthful and named after Hawaiʻi's official state fish, is the resort's signature seafood restaurant, and a dreamy one.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The blood test screens for three molecular signatures of pancreatic cancer.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The event brought approximately 300 LGBTQ+ journalists from print and broadcast together in the name of civic service.
    Kat Tran, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Shop ballerina sneakers, slouchy boots, animal print ballet flats, and more shoe styles Boyer and Kopulos say are ‘in’ for fall, starting at $21 on Amazon.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Handwriting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handwriting. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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