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
But the main driver of the Reagan administration’s shift in nuclear policy was the U.S. anti-nuclear movement, symbolized by the nuclear freeze campaign and punctuated by a million person rally for disarmament in New York’s Central Park in June of 1982.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Way, the air punctuated by loud honking from passing cars and trucks and tables on the sidewalk laden with lunch for striking workers.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Although no demonstrators were arrested by local law enforcement Friday, tensions escalated over the course of the weekend, leading to larger gatherings punctuated by episodes of violence, theft, graffiti and property destruction.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Violence has ticked up in recent years, punctuated over the weekend by the daytime shooting of a high-profile politician and presidential hopeful, Miguel Uribe Turbay.
—Mie Hoejris Dahl, Christian Science Monitor, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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William Hartung, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Way, the air punctuated by loud honking from passing cars and trucks and tables on the sidewalk laden with lunch for striking workers.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Although no demonstrators were arrested by local law enforcement Friday, tensions escalated over the course of the weekend, leading to larger gatherings punctuated by episodes of violence, theft, graffiti and property destruction.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Violence has ticked up in recent years, punctuated over the weekend by the daytime shooting of a high-profile politician and presidential hopeful, Miguel Uribe Turbay.
—Mie Hoejris Dahl, Christian Science Monitor, 10 June 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 1 Jul. 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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