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

• 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

That sack perfectly punctuated a fourth quarter where the Patriots’ defense more than quadrupled its pressure rate from earlier in the game to preserve a win. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025

Bouquets of deep-red roses punctuate each table. —Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025

Until 2023, populist parties Thaksin backed had won every election since 2001 only to be repeatedly ousted by judicial and military coups—turmoil punctuated by often deadly street protests. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025

Volcanic-seeming black rock lines a catacomblike stairway, punctuated by a single glass window framing a lone Calder. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

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

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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