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as in handwriting
the form or style of a particular person's writing doctors are famous for their illegible penmanship

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as in calligraphy
writing done by hand the students spend far more time honing their computer skills than they do improving their penmanship

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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 penmanship Jeff Probst commented on this penmanship misdirection on the latest episode of his On Fire with Jeff Probst podcast. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025 Who doesn’t dream of making beeswax candles, topping naked cakes with berries and writing on labels with picture-perfect penmanship? Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025 Inspired by her penmanship, the Crayola crayons came in handy as people sketched absentmindedly on paper surfaces throughout the meal. Freya Drohan, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025 The book appears to have all of its original pages, which are covered with tidy penmanship. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penmanship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penmanship
Noun
  • Not only that, but Katie Gaudreau’s veil featured custom messages in her brothers’ handwriting.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • In order to date the scrolls, the model analyzed each one's handwriting style.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Sultanahmet Square was the first of its kind to display both Turkish and Islamic works of art together and is well worth a visit, especially if you’re fascinated by calligraphy, tilework, and carpets.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Visitors will get the opportunity to dabble in traditional Japanese arts such as calligraphy and try on garb like kimonos and yukata.
    John Tuohy, IndyStar, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Penmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penmanship. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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