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
There are forty-three sentences in total, and one exclamation point.
—
Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
With its eccentric steel helmet and grandiose lobby, a temple to the power of American industry, the Chrysler Building encapsulated the giddy excess of its time—an Art Deco exclamation point to mark the end of an optimistic decade.
—Michael Snyder, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
As protests intensify, Helen’s narration becomes more manic, acquiring more double exclamation points and question marks.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
There are a few others where he’s just drawn a quick creature and put an exclamation point or a question mark by it.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
When searching individual licenses, if there has been discipline, typically an exclamation point pops up on the page above their name directing you to click on the prompt for more information.
—Christine MacDonald, Detroit Free Press, 4 Aug. 2023
But regardless of the Jeddah Tower’s question mark, the Burj remains a decisive and enormous exclamation point.
—Rob Verger, Popular Science, 31 May 2023
The 4-year-old colt’s gate-to-wire win was a big exclamation point for the connections.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2023
Kelce caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to put the exclamation point on the blowout victory over the Chicago Bears, 41-10.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 Sep. 2023
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Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
With its eccentric steel helmet and grandiose lobby, a temple to the power of American industry, the Chrysler Building encapsulated the giddy excess of its time—an Art Deco exclamation point to mark the end of an optimistic decade.
—Michael Snyder, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
As protests intensify, Helen’s narration becomes more manic, acquiring more double exclamation points and question marks.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
There are a few others where he’s just drawn a quick creature and put an exclamation point or a question mark by it.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
When searching individual licenses, if there has been discipline, typically an exclamation point pops up on the page above their name directing you to click on the prompt for more information.
—Christine MacDonald, Detroit Free Press, 4 Aug. 2023
But regardless of the Jeddah Tower’s question mark, the Burj remains a decisive and enormous exclamation point.
—Rob Verger, Popular Science, 31 May 2023
The 4-year-old colt’s gate-to-wire win was a big exclamation point for the connections.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2023
Kelce caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to put the exclamation point on the blowout victory over the Chicago Bears, 41-10.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 Sep. 2023
See More
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 1 Dec. 2023.
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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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