punctuate

verb

punc·​tu·​ate ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt 

punctuated; punctuating

transitive verb

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

3

: accentuate, emphasize

intransitive verb

: to use punctuation marks

punctuator

ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of punctuate

• emphasize
• highlight
• stress
• feature

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

This earthy green set is punctuated with trails of clear, shiny top coat. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 July 2026

An only child, Adnan’s life and artistry were punctuated by the fall of ancient empires and flights into exile. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Wood’s solo, punctuated by Jagger’s falsetto, delivers just the right amount of tenderness and soul. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo feasted off low crosses to each score twice, punctuating this as the World Cup of cutbacks. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin punctuatus, past participle of punctuare to point, provide with punctuation marks, from Latin punctus point

First Known Use

circa 1766, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for punctuate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids 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