as in enclosing
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 writing
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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Recent Examples of penning
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
The project had been in active development, with The Greatest Showman helmer Michael Gracey on board to direct and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson penning the script.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Reddit/u/My_Heirloom_Tomatoes Not much happened in the immediate aftermath of Joanne penning the message.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The renowned international design studio, known for penning needle-moving yachts and superyachts, has launched a new brand focused on creating high-end vessels for discerning seafarers.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
But then one betrays the other by penning a book based on the life of the other, calling into question whether great art is worth the cost.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Comic book writer Tom King is penning the screenplay, though plot details haven’t been confirmed.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Last month, Deadline exclusively reported that Anna Faris and Regina Hall are back for Scary Movie 6, with Marlon penning the script alongside brothers Shawn Wayans and Keenen Ivory Wayans.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
The project had been in active development, with The Greatest Showman helmer Michael Gracey on board to direct and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson penning the script.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Reddit/u/My_Heirloom_Tomatoes Not much happened in the immediate aftermath of Joanne penning the message.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The renowned international design studio, known for penning needle-moving yachts and superyachts, has launched a new brand focused on creating high-end vessels for discerning seafarers.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
But then one betrays the other by penning a book based on the life of the other, calling into question whether great art is worth the cost.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Comic book writer Tom King is penning the screenplay, though plot details haven’t been confirmed.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penning. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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