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

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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

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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

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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 pen

Noun

However, the nicotine in ZYN pouches, also found in vape pens and e-cigarette products, is known to raise heart rates and blood pressure. — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026 According to experts, wild brown trout are known to congregate around salmon pens to feed on surplus feed that falls through the net cages, otherwise known as cage-grazing. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Verb

Berg was a producer on the Sheridan-penned, Best Picture-nominated Hell or High Water (2016) and went on to produce Sheridan’s directorial effort, Wind River (2017). — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Produced through Rubicon Entertainment, the contemporary Southern noir Western was constructed incrementally, with Grubbs serving as director and lead actor and Joshua Ryan Dietz, Jeff Hoffman and Chris Sivertson penning the screenplay. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 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

Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate inside safety cages, Doosan’s cobots are designed to work safely alongside human workers using integrated force and torque sensors that detect collisions and limit contact forces.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Those who lean bohemian may like a diaphanous nightie from Dôen or Chloé, paired with cage sandals and oversized shades.

— Christina Holevas, Vogue, 17 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

But as written previously, Jeffers is a potential free agent who could bring back bullpen help, and the Twins could replace him with Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026
He is repped by WME and Liebman Entertainment Baker is writing and executive producing, with both Kidman and Fanning executive producing in addition to starring.

— Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 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

Co-chair Emily Ladau, a disability rights activist, communications strategist and author, framed the committee's work around a phrase long used as a rallying cry in disability advocacy circles.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
The authors evaluated decades of research on who is at highest risk of drowning and what interventions have been shown to save lives.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pen

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noun (3)

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