PENNED Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

penned 1 of 3

adjective

as in enclosed

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penned

2 of 3

verb (1)

past tense of pen

as in housed

to close or shut in by or as if by barriers remember to pen up the dogs when visitors come over

Synonyms & Similar Words

penned

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of pen

as in wrote

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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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 penned

Adjective

According to the outlets, the complaint alleges Kristin Wert was struck from behind, thrown into the air and trampled after Party Bus escaped the penned area. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026 Writer and vocalist Linda Perry was later inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and penned hits for Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Adele. — Ryan Brennan april 8, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 Michael McGrale also co-penned. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026

Verb

Cofnas penned an exposé last month that documented widespread plagiarism and shoddy scholarship in Arday’s work, a black professor hired by Cambridge University with much fanfare in 2023 to conduct research on race and social injustice. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2026 The letter was penned after the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan had reportedly joined both initiatives, a move which set off alarm bells in Washington. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 WYouth magazine’s Ava Nirui, a friend of the designer, conducted the in-book interview with Liang, and actress and close friend Greta Lee penned the introductory letter. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026 Bill Dubuque penned the script, which is based on a story by O’Connor and Dubuque. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 The category recognizes tracks penned specifically for movies, television and other visual projects, and the Wednesday single is an obvious potential fit. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Brewer wrote the latest draft of the screenplay, which was initially penned by Joe Robert Cole, and the film will incorporate music from Snoop’s catalog. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 20 Aug. 2026 Over the last ten years, there have been a spate of memoirs about wild swimming penned by women around the UK and Ireland, many of which appeared in 2017, meaning they must have all been written concurrently. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 Hilary Duff penned a tribute to Hayden Panettiere following her death on Sunday at the age of 36. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penned

Adjective

There’s a mirrored hallway that shines like a disco ball, artwork painted by a co-owner, a DJ booth prominent in the dining space and, open to the air, sidewalk seating and a semi-enclosed patio.

— John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Owners can opt for a semi-enclosed galley, which adds a bit of space from the main saloon, or can fully enclose the galley for more separation.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 July 2026

Definition of enclosed

Verb

The official Walter Cup, presented when the Victoire beat the Ottawa Charge in four games to win the PWHL championship in May, is housed in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Among the 3,000 buildings the first licensed Black architect designed, from private residences to hotels, some of his most appealing—including one that formerly housed actor Denzel Washington’s family—can be found in Toluca Lake.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of housed

Verb

For nearly four decades, Jeanne Phillips wrote the column, which was founded in 1956 by her mother, Pauline Phillips.

— Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
One of the jurors who sat through his trial, Mae Puckett, wrote a letter in 2011, urging Alabama to spare Myers’ life.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrote

Adjective

As a preventive measure, Assemblymember Chris Rogers, D-Ukiah, introduced AB 928, which would have prohibited a person from keeping more than 25 caged or tethered game fowl roosters.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Some of the caged cats were held fast in feces that had hardened like concrete.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of caged

Verb

No details on injuries or fatalities were included in the post, which asked community members for video footage, photographs or any information related to the shooting.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2026
Other defensive standouts included Jaden Hicks forcing a fumble and Felix Anudike-Uzomah recording a sack, as the Chiefs' first-half defense impressed before a 16-15 loss.

— Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of included

Adjective

Last year, the PKK — considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies — announced its decision to disband, following a call by its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The move came in response to a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of imprisoned

Verb

But Oliver said the contractors installed the grinder pump a month ago with its own power source encased in a locked box and didn’t provide her with a key.

— Christin Lazerus, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
With six bedrooms and six full bathrooms spread across more than 9,000 square feet, the home’s three distinct structures are connected by bridges and wrapped in curved glass encased in black steel frames.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of encased

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pennants

penned

penniless

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“Penned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penned. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of penned

adjective

verb (1)

verb (2)

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