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

Williams completed his night with a perfect seventh, punctuated by striking out Will Smith swinging on an elevated 96 mph fastball. —ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

Wembanyama punctuated his season-high with a driving, one-handed dunk for his final points midway through the fourth quarter. —Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

The women’s reunion over [checks notes] OnlyFans content is peaceful enough, but the trio’s tense reacquainting is punctuated by a home invasion that echoes their toxic past. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Mar. 2026

Two punchouts punctuated a 16-pitch second inning — the only clean frame Imai worked all afternoon. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Mar. 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

• 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