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
Khori Bennett added the Switchbacks’ third and final goal in the 84th minute, punctuating Colorado Springs’ stunning upset over a higher-division opponent.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Jean-Baptiste, who trained as a cellist, arranges his songs—some of which are barely over a minute long—like a chamber cycle punctuated with interludes.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Those features slowly come into focus beyond its towering red brick facade that is punctuated by Dutch gabling, an ornamental frieze, and eye-catching ironwork.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2026
The set then closed out with ten minutes of joyous music and dancing from the entire troupe, punctuated by fireworks, blazing laser lights, blasts of flame and more.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Jean-Baptiste, who trained as a cellist, arranges his songs—some of which are barely over a minute long—like a chamber cycle punctuated with interludes.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Those features slowly come into focus beyond its towering red brick facade that is punctuated by Dutch gabling, an ornamental frieze, and eye-catching ironwork.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2026
The set then closed out with ten minutes of joyous music and dancing from the entire troupe, punctuated by fireworks, blazing laser lights, blasts of flame and more.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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