as in jails
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
earned six years in a federal pen
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pens
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Gensler is looking into implementing writing rooms — replete with pens and paper.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But after several decades, the maze of sometimes-rickety structures have been replaced by metal and wood pens that can be removed when the stock show is over.
—The Know, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Forgotten animal pens, decaying cages and stony backdrops now sit in various states of abandonment.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
For every type of seed sown, use popsicle sticks or plastic plant markers and permanent ink pens to record the plant name and date sown.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
The equestrian side of the ranch includes a show barn with an upstairs apartment, an eight-stall mare motel, multiple turnout pens and an insulated indoor arena designed for year-round training and events.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Laser acupuncture pens tend to be the most expensive, at $100 or more.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Some kits prioritize speed, others are designed for sensitive teeth, and the application method, gel trays, pens, or strips, comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 17 Jan. 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
The trademarks cover dozens of products and services, including makeup, body oils, sunglasses, pens, holdalls, electric train sets, leather goods, shoes, tote bags and music, the IPO records show.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Gensler is looking into implementing writing rooms — replete with pens and paper.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But after several decades, the maze of sometimes-rickety structures have been replaced by metal and wood pens that can be removed when the stock show is over.
—The Know, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Forgotten animal pens, decaying cages and stony backdrops now sit in various states of abandonment.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
For every type of seed sown, use popsicle sticks or plastic plant markers and permanent ink pens to record the plant name and date sown.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
The equestrian side of the ranch includes a show barn with an upstairs apartment, an eight-stall mare motel, multiple turnout pens and an insulated indoor arena designed for year-round training and events.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Laser acupuncture pens tend to be the most expensive, at $100 or more.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Some kits prioritize speed, others are designed for sensitive teeth, and the application method, gel trays, pens, or strips, comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 17 Jan. 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 31 Jan. 2026.
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