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
Listed by Carmen Galzerano of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, the six-bedroom, nine-bath home offers roughly 11,700 square feet across three levels punctuated with arched doorways, sliding wrought-iron and glass barn doors, and folding walls of glass.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2025
And that was true before the dreadful national TV performance against the Chargers that left the Steelers at 5-4 and in line for yet another 10-7 or 9-8 season punctuated by a one-and-done postseason exit.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
For de la Torre, the celebratory hometown victories punctuated a soccer journey that sent him from Carmel Valley to London at age 15 and brought him back to San Diego last winter when expansionist SDFC came calling.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Each mention of her name was punctuated by audience cheers.
—Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2025
And that was true before the dreadful national TV performance against the Chargers that left the Steelers at 5-4 and in line for yet another 10-7 or 9-8 season punctuated by a one-and-done postseason exit.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
For de la Torre, the celebratory hometown victories punctuated a soccer journey that sent him from Carmel Valley to London at age 15 and brought him back to San Diego last winter when expansionist SDFC came calling.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Each mention of her name was punctuated by audience cheers.
—Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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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