as in enclosing
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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as in writing
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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Recent Examples of penning
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Solomon, whose career has included penning big franchises (Bill & Ted, Men in Black), saw The Christophers as part of a larger turn back to first principles.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
The renowned international design studio, known for penning needle-moving yachts and superyachts, has launched a new brand focused on creating high-end vessels for discerning seafarers.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
But then one betrays the other by penning a book based on the life of the other, calling into question whether great art is worth the cost.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Comic book writer Tom King is penning the screenplay, though plot details haven’t been confirmed.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Cory Pinkerton was also on the winning Junior Team for a three-day team penning event at the Western Center in the Country Estates.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Speaking on social media, Huynh explained her reasoning for penning a letter advocating for Combs’ release, despite being identified by prosecutors as one of the disgraced mogul’s victims.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The president has denied penning that note and quickly filed a lawsuit against the Journal seeking billions of dollars in damages.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
Max Goldbart here penning the newsletter.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Solomon, whose career has included penning big franchises (Bill & Ted, Men in Black), saw The Christophers as part of a larger turn back to first principles.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
The renowned international design studio, known for penning needle-moving yachts and superyachts, has launched a new brand focused on creating high-end vessels for discerning seafarers.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
But then one betrays the other by penning a book based on the life of the other, calling into question whether great art is worth the cost.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Comic book writer Tom King is penning the screenplay, though plot details haven’t been confirmed.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Cory Pinkerton was also on the winning Junior Team for a three-day team penning event at the Western Center in the Country Estates.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Speaking on social media, Huynh explained her reasoning for penning a letter advocating for Combs’ release, despite being identified by prosecutors as one of the disgraced mogul’s victims.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The president has denied penning that note and quickly filed a lawsuit against the Journal seeking billions of dollars in damages.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penning. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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