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
Storrie punctuates the jab with a shot from his finger guns, which brings Johnson crumbling to the ground.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026
Typically, guests of the president are used to punctuate points in the speech.
—Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Ukraine's 34 years of independence have been punctuated by intense bursts of interference from Moscow, as the old imperial hegemon sought to re-establish its sphere of influence after the traumatic collapse of the Soviet Union.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
The men were personally congratulated with a direct call, while the women were referenced later, almost as a footnote, in a moment punctuated by laughter.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026
Typically, guests of the president are used to punctuate points in the speech.
—Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Ukraine's 34 years of independence have been punctuated by intense bursts of interference from Moscow, as the old imperial hegemon sought to re-establish its sphere of influence after the traumatic collapse of the Soviet Union.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
The men were personally congratulated with a direct call, while the women were referenced later, almost as a footnote, in a moment punctuated by laughter.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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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