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

Her lids were washed with brown and taupe hues, creating a smokey eye, while her lips were lined in that same brown and punctuated with nude in the center for contrast. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026

The shimmering extensions took off alongside the booming hair-extension market of the late ’90s and early 2000s, when beauty was increasingly punctuated with rainbow eye shadow, rhinestone decals, and anything that caught the light. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Part of it is the day to day nature of baseball, making the broadcasts often feel like an ongoing conversation, now and then punctuated by moments to which that voice will always be attached. — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

The company’s presentation was punctuated by boos and groans from hundreds of Chinatown, Bridgeport and Armour Square residents. — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 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