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
As the sweetly melodic ballad tapers, a gentle beat kicks in and Carey vocalizes words of religious praise over a syncopated coda for the last two minutes, her five-octave voice punctuating her patented melismatic style.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
The Eagles’ victory will be remembered for Jordan Davis’ field goal block to maintain the undefeated record and punctuate a ferocious comeback from a 19-point deficit that proved the team’s mettle.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Rolling green hills stretch for miles against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, punctuated only by white clouds hovering over the highest peaks.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The Angels superstar slugged the 400th homer of his career, punctuating a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night at Coors Field.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
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Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
The Eagles’ victory will be remembered for Jordan Davis’ field goal block to maintain the undefeated record and punctuate a ferocious comeback from a 19-point deficit that proved the team’s mettle.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Rolling green hills stretch for miles against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, punctuated only by white clouds hovering over the highest peaks.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The Angels superstar slugged the 400th homer of his career, punctuating a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night at Coors Field.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 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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