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
It was capped by Ty Rodgers, the Grand Blanc alumnus whose driving layup provided the exclamation point to an emphatic 10-0 run.
—
Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024
Back in 2018, Guy Fieri opened a chain of restaurants called Chicken Guy! (exclamation point and all) with business partner Robert Earl, founder of both the Planet Hollywood and Earl of Sandwich restaurant chains.
—Dennis Lee / The Takeout, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
Snell, 31, joins third baseman Matt Chapman as exclamation points on the Giants’ offseason, bringing their total commitments made this winter north of $300 million, second only to the Dodgers.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
The Raiders put that notion to rest with MVP Marcus Allen (then-record 191 rushing yards) providing the exclamation point with his epic 74-yard TD run.
48.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Grande began her note enthusiastically by sharing the new track’s peak position on the charts and including a handful of exclamation points and teary-eyed emojis.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024
The Musical earns the exclamation point in its title.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2023
The country was ready for a change, any change, even a change to John Quincy Adams, whose election in 1824 put an exclamation point to the end of the Jeffersonian cycle.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 14 Mar. 2024
The brooch was like a boldface exclamation point on his high-wattage smile.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024
Back in 2018, Guy Fieri opened a chain of restaurants called Chicken Guy! (exclamation point and all) with business partner Robert Earl, founder of both the Planet Hollywood and Earl of Sandwich restaurant chains.
—Dennis Lee / The Takeout, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
Snell, 31, joins third baseman Matt Chapman as exclamation points on the Giants’ offseason, bringing their total commitments made this winter north of $300 million, second only to the Dodgers.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
The Raiders put that notion to rest with MVP Marcus Allen (then-record 191 rushing yards) providing the exclamation point with his epic 74-yard TD run.
48.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Grande began her note enthusiastically by sharing the new track’s peak position on the charts and including a handful of exclamation points and teary-eyed emojis.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024
The Musical earns the exclamation point in its title.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2023
The country was ready for a change, any change, even a change to John Quincy Adams, whose election in 1824 put an exclamation point to the end of the Jeffersonian cycle.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 14 Mar. 2024
The brooch was like a boldface exclamation point on his high-wattage smile.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
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
Articles Related to exclamation point
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 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
exclamation point
noun
: a punctuation mark ! used chiefly after an exclamation to show a forceful way of speaking or a strong feeling
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