1
as in handwriting
the form or style of a particular person's writing
doctors are famous for their illegible penmanship
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2
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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Recent Examples of penmanship
Though cursive instruction was once standard, today’s educators and lawmakers are divided: Should schools emphasize penmanship or keyboard skills?
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
The majority of the handwritten documents that need transcribing are from the Revolutionary War when writing in cursive was the standard form of penmanship, the outlet said.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
More than 200 years worth of U.S. documents are in need of transcribing (or at least classifying) and the vast majority of them are handwritten in cursive – requiring people who know the flowing, looped form of penmanship.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
But while in his penmanship, the recipe still has her hands all over it.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for penmanship 
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
The majority of the handwritten documents that need transcribing are from the Revolutionary War when writing in cursive was the standard form of penmanship, the outlet said.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
More than 200 years worth of U.S. documents are in need of transcribing (or at least classifying) and the vast majority of them are handwritten in cursive – requiring people who know the flowing, looped form of penmanship.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
But while in his penmanship, the recipe still has her hands all over it.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for penmanship
Thesaurus Entries Near penmanship
Cite this Entry
“Penmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penmanship. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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