1
as in writer
a person who creates a written work
the roomful of unsung scriveners that it takes to churn out a weekly sitcom
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2
as in scribe
one who writes from dictation or copies manuscripts
the details of the contract were worked out by a lawyer, I being involved with it merely as a scrivener
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Recent Examples of scrivener
Zach Thomas Woods infuses zany comic energy into Edgar, a young Scottish lawyer and scrivener (a copier of documents), sternly religious but desperately horny and infatuated with Ruth.
—
Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2023
The name of the candidate omitted in the Voter Guide is highlighted in red to emphasize the scrivener’s error.
—chicagotribune.com, 25 Mar. 2021
Her narrator’s final gesture, transforming herself into a piece of half-living art, echoes the odd and combative passivity of Herman Melville’s Bartleby, a scrivener who suddenly, inexplicably, refuses to perform his duties.
—Alexandra Kleeman, Vanities, 2 July 2018
In the short story by Herman Melville from which our new column takes its name, Bartleby was a scrivener—a dying art, nowadays.
—The Economist, 26 May 2018
Almost always, Shakespeare’s plays become mirrors when held up to the moments in which they are produced; Ralph Crane the scrivener was only the first among many annotators.
—Cynthia Zarin, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2017
The difference between a merchant’s handwriting and a scrivener’s is clear enough, the one scrawled and bold, the other neat and careful.
—Tim Parks, New York Times, 11 May 2016
Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2023
The name of the candidate omitted in the Voter Guide is highlighted in red to emphasize the scrivener’s error.
—chicagotribune.com, 25 Mar. 2021
Her narrator’s final gesture, transforming herself into a piece of half-living art, echoes the odd and combative passivity of Herman Melville’s Bartleby, a scrivener who suddenly, inexplicably, refuses to perform his duties.
—Alexandra Kleeman, Vanities, 2 July 2018
In the short story by Herman Melville from which our new column takes its name, Bartleby was a scrivener—a dying art, nowadays.
—The Economist, 26 May 2018
Almost always, Shakespeare’s plays become mirrors when held up to the moments in which they are produced; Ralph Crane the scrivener was only the first among many annotators.
—Cynthia Zarin, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2017
The difference between a merchant’s handwriting and a scrivener’s is clear enough, the one scrawled and bold, the other neat and careful.
—Tim Parks, New York Times, 11 May 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrivener
Noun
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Coming after his success as a co-writer on partner Greta Gerwig’s billion-dollar hit Barbie (2023), Jay Kelly appears to signal a new chapter for the Baumbach, one less defined by fracture and regret than by celebration.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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Every article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Created by the Wicked musical scribe Winnie Holzman, the teen drama made a star out of Claire Danes, who played the show’s heroine, 15-year-old Angela, through the ups and downs of early high school life.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Writers Guild is reminding members that writing for verticals or micro-dramas — the latest trend that is providing a lifetime to fledging actors and entry-level scribes — is covered by the minimum basic agreement (MBA).—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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After 12 years of silence since Bleeding Edge, the 87-year-old author will publish Shadow Ticket on October 7th, 2025.—
tumblr.com,
tumblr.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Groff, the three-time National Book Award finalist and best-selling author, wrote the libretto with Doraiswamy and served as a kind of amanuensis to the production.—
Laura van Straaten,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The journalist’s tone was snarky, but there were some direct quotes from my father’s amanuenses.—
Sage Mehta,
The New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Scrivener.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrivener. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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