punctuate
verb
punc·tu·ate
ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt 
punctuated; punctuating
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
Edith Wharton3
: to use punctuation marks
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
From minimalist gold styles to louder ones punctuated by pearls and diamonds, even the pickiest of fashion insiders can find a pair of huggie earrings that not only complements but enhances their favorite ‘fit.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
From lost season to lockdown closer, an outrageous development punctuated by Sasaki breezing through three perfect innings in Game 4 of the NLDS.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
With the country music landscape now punctuated by a generation of young songwriters laying bare personal trauma and intense heartache, Whitcomb wanted his first full-length to capture his life so far, darkness be damned.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The Aces success punctuates how sports have arrived in Vegas, with the Stanley Cup-winning success of the Golden Knights and imminent arrival of Major League Baseball’s Athletics.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 11 Oct. 2025
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Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
From lost season to lockdown closer, an outrageous development punctuated by Sasaki breezing through three perfect innings in Game 4 of the NLDS.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
With the country music landscape now punctuated by a generation of young songwriters laying bare personal trauma and intense heartache, Whitcomb wanted his first full-length to capture his life so far, darkness be damned.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The Aces success punctuates how sports have arrived in Vegas, with the Stanley Cup-winning success of the Golden Knights and imminent arrival of Major League Baseball’s Athletics.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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