as in jails
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
earned six years in a federal pen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in writers
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
as in houses
to close or shut in by or as if by barriers
remember to pen up the dogs when visitors come over
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in writes
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 pens
James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
This Bostanten laptop tote has enough capacity to hold a 16-inch laptop, as well as pens, a tablet, a wallet, and all of your other daily work essentials.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
On top of it sat an ivory paper knife, pens and pencils in a jar, along with a blotter, a gooseneck lamp, and his bulky Dictaphone.
—Josh Ireland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
An 18-year-old man pled guilty this week to a 2024 homicide over vape pens and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, Tarrant County district attorney Phil Sorrells said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
For example, two vape pens and an edible contained zero delta-9 THC.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Instead, keep your home office or cubicle looking nice and tidy by turning empty glass jars into organizers that can house everything from pens and markers to paperclips.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
The fence is designed to deter snakes from entering the dog park pens and biting the dogs running free within them.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Group pens and pencils, paper clips, rubber bands, and note pads in different sizes of jars to clean up your office space.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The series kicks off when Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), a member of a powerful Oklahoma family, pens a suicide note, hides it inside a book on his shelves, and then shoots himself in the head.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
In his breast pocket were what looked like two pens.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
This Bostanten laptop tote has enough capacity to hold a 16-inch laptop, as well as pens, a tablet, a wallet, and all of your other daily work essentials.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
On top of it sat an ivory paper knife, pens and pencils in a jar, along with a blotter, a gooseneck lamp, and his bulky Dictaphone.
—Josh Ireland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
An 18-year-old man pled guilty this week to a 2024 homicide over vape pens and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, Tarrant County district attorney Phil Sorrells said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
For example, two vape pens and an edible contained zero delta-9 THC.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Instead, keep your home office or cubicle looking nice and tidy by turning empty glass jars into organizers that can house everything from pens and markers to paperclips.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
The fence is designed to deter snakes from entering the dog park pens and biting the dogs running free within them.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Group pens and pencils, paper clips, rubber bands, and note pads in different sizes of jars to clean up your office space.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Yousafzai pens a portrait of a young woman discovering her identity amid immense pressure.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The series kicks off when Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), a member of a powerful Oklahoma family, pens a suicide note, hides it inside a book on his shelves, and then shoots himself in the head.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pens. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
