punctuate
verb
punc·tu·ate
ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt 
punctuated; punctuating
1
: to mark or divide (written matter) with punctuation marks
2
: to break into or interrupt at intervals
the steady click of her needles punctuated the silence—
Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton3
: to use punctuation marks
Examples of punctuate in a Sentence
Do you know how to punctuate a sentence correctly?
punctuated each and every word of his denial with a pound of his fist on the table
Recent Examples on the Web
Bold statement jewelry, including thick golden cuffs and choker necklace—reminiscent of the jewelry Carter and Douriean Fletcher crafted for Black Panther characters—as well as wooden beaded pieces, punctuated the look.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
Yet where experimentation generally teaches new lessons, this felt more like reinforcement of where England are good and where England still have problems, a performance punctuated by familiar defensive frustrations and foibles.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Their photo finish was punctuated with wide smiles.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Anthony Banda then punctuated it, serving up a letter-high, middle-of-the-plate slider that Barger hit into the right field bleachers for a 9-2 lead and a place in World Series history.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
Yet where experimentation generally teaches new lessons, this felt more like reinforcement of where England are good and where England still have problems, a performance punctuated by familiar defensive frustrations and foibles.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Their photo finish was punctuated with wide smiles.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Anthony Banda then punctuated it, serving up a letter-high, middle-of-the-plate slider that Barger hit into the right field bleachers for a 9-2 lead and a place in World Series history.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punctuate
verb
punc·tu·ate
ˈpəŋ(k)-chə-ˌwāt
punctuated; punctuating
1
: to mark or divide with punctuation marks
2
: to interrupt at intervals
a speech punctuated by a harsh cough
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