handwriting

noun

ˈhand-ˌrī-tiŋ How to pronounce handwriting (audio)
Definition of handwritingnext
1
as in scribble
the form or style of a particular person's writing she immediately recognized the handwriting on the envelope as that of her old college roommate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in calligraphy
writing done by hand the columnist laments the decline of fine handwriting, as so few people write letters by hand anymore

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 handwriting The commission held a hearing last week to weigh the claims in Gilnack’s objection, hearing testimony from a forensic document examiner and a handwriting expert. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Apple’s Scribble feature (which converts handwriting to text) works seamlessly with Procreate. — Shelby Putnam Tupper, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026 My grandma developed beautiful handwriting as a right-hander. — Quanta Magazine, 13 July 2026 Hurst hopes more context can be gleaned by further studies of the many other plaster scraps—which bear different handwriting from at least one other scribe—and by excavating more of the lost city. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for handwriting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handwriting
  1. scribble
  2. calligraphy
  3. hand
  4. lettering
  5. script
  6. penmanship
  7. signature
  8. print
Noun
  • But autos were precarious contraptions at the start of the 20th century, and America’s national system of roads was little more than a faint scribble on the map.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Some three hours into the four-hour drive, the road plunged into a dizzying scribble of hairpin bends, eventually spitting us out into the Colca Valley, where, at the end of 2023, Andean pitched up Puqio.
    — Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Definition of scribble
Noun
  • A lot of effort went into researching different mystical, strange calligraphy and all kinds of diagram stuff that are in that.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Set in a former Ottoman villa, the museum houses an extensive collection of Ottoman calligraphy, paintings, and decorative arts, alongside rotating exhibitions that explore both Turkish and international artists.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of calligraphy
Noun
  • Also in the courtroom was Davis’ son, who covered his face with one hand.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Observing tips The September full moon is a perfect time to try your hand at astrophotography!
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of hand
Noun
  • After the center unsuccessfully sought to pause the order, crews removed the lettering overnight on June 12 and 13.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Cooper agreed, and issued a preliminary injunction in June that forced the center to revert to the original name and remove lettering on the front façade of the complex.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of lettering
Noun
  • Dunham is adapting the script with Jessica Huang, while Jepsen is writing the music and lyrics with Ethan Gruska.
    — Jessica Barrett, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
  • There will be no B-movie monsters wearing terrible prosthetics, no scripts full of non sequiturs, no glitchy graphics.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of script
Noun
  • In the first half of the 20th century, penmanship was often taught as a distinct subject in American elementary schools, where children could spend as much as 45 minutes a day on handwriting instruction and practice.
    — Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Well-known for his penmanship of the Ferrari Enzo over 25 years ago, Japanese designer Ken Okuyama chose the glamorous surroundings of Monterey Car Week to unveil his latest—and perhaps most ambitious—creation, the Kode89.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of penmanship
Noun
  • The company is known for its affordable drinks and ice cream, including its signature King Cone vanilla ice cream.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The elder Dean was one of college basketball’s great ambassadors, working for Converse from 1959-87 while becoming the SEC’s signature television voice.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of signature
Noun
  • Channel design legend Frances Elkins by injecting your interiors with a peach moment or lean into the cottagecore aesthetic with a gingham print.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Contributor Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who has spent over a decade writing about travel, design, e-commerce, as well as food an beverage for a bevy of print and digital media.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of print

Phrases Containing handwriting

Browse Nearby Words

hand-wringing
handwriting
handwriting on the wall
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Cite this Entry

“Handwriting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handwriting. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on handwriting

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about handwriting

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