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
Jets receiver Adonai Mitchell The former Texas receiver had his breakout game in Week 13 with a 100-yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons that was punctuated with his first career touchdown.
—Miami Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
More Razorbacks continued to do the same after the win, which Sealy punctuated with a one-handed dunk with 46 seconds left.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025
In a meeting punctuated by conflict and confusion, the independent vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday again delayed a vote that could dramatically change hepatitis B vaccination practice in the United States.
—Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
The stern personality that Akl projects as Yasmine is punctuated with splashes of levity that make her character’s compatibility with Nino believable rather than forceful.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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Miami Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
More Razorbacks continued to do the same after the win, which Sealy punctuated with a one-handed dunk with 46 seconds left.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025
In a meeting punctuated by conflict and confusion, the independent vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday again delayed a vote that could dramatically change hepatitis B vaccination practice in the United States.
—Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
The stern personality that Akl projects as Yasmine is punctuated with splashes of levity that make her character’s compatibility with Nino believable rather than forceful.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 4 Dec. 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 15 Dec. 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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