exclamation point

noun

1
: a mark ! used especially after an interjection or exclamation to indicate forceful utterance or strong feeling
2
: a distinctive indication of major significance, interest, or contrast
the game put an exclamation point on the season

called also exclamation mark

Examples of exclamation point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This year’s show will be highly-anticipated as Lamar sets out to put an exclamation point at the end of an already stellar year. Angel Diaz, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2024 And little else in the garden perennial world can put such a sizeable exclamation point on the garden profile. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Aug. 2024 Hundreds of Californians weighed in, brandishing exclamation points like spears. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024 For Jimmy Carter, the nation's 39th president, such longevity is an exclamation point on an unparalleled life of public service. Mark Updegrove, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exclamation point 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exclamation point.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exclamation point was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near exclamation point

Cite this Entry

“Exclamation point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclamation%20point. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

exclamation point

noun
: a punctuation mark ! used chiefly after an exclamation to show a forceful way of speaking or a strong feeling

More from Merriam-Webster on exclamation point

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