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
Their victory in the final game put an exclamation point on the season.

called also exclamation mark

Examples of exclamation point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This month, the orange exclamation point warning flicked on in my vehicle. Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 16 Dec. 2025 Sarkozy loves an exclamation point. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025 Her phone started buzzing, with exclamation points, thumbs-ups, and hearts. Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025 His subsequent celebration – think Rob Gronkowski with the Patriots – provided an exclamation point, showing why Dakota Ridge outscored opponents 565-168 this season. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exclamation point

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exclamation point was in 1795

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exclamation point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclamation%20point. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.

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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