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
His second homer punctuated a seven-run seventh inning.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Gangly giraffes punctuated the grasslands like goofy exclamation points.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
But continuing their trend from the game’s first three quarters, the Mountaineers’ offense responded, shutting the door on any late-game heroics with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, punctuated by Swann’s third and final touchdown pass.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
The music producer shared several highlights from the bash on his Instagram Stories, including a photo of himself sitting at a large dining table with a view of the Vegas skyline in the background, punctuated by the Strat observation tower.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Gangly giraffes punctuated the grasslands like goofy exclamation points.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
But continuing their trend from the game’s first three quarters, the Mountaineers’ offense responded, shutting the door on any late-game heroics with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, punctuated by Swann’s third and final touchdown pass.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
The music producer shared several highlights from the bash on his Instagram Stories, including a photo of himself sitting at a large dining table with a view of the Vegas skyline in the background, punctuated by the Strat observation tower.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 29 Aug. 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 5 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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