as in to emphasize
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
punctuated each and every word of his denial with a pound of his fist on the table
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Recent Examples of punctuate
Yet Sorry, Baby doesn’t elide Agnes’s trauma, either; it is punctuated with moments—from Agnes answering a jury duty summons to a third-act revelation that begets a panic attack—to indicate, in no uncertain terms, that she’s been affected on a cellular level.
—
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
It’s punctuated with radical musical numbers and dance sequences, not quite seen before on the big screen.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Use bright colors and strong patterns to punctuate an otherwise neutral space.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Spanning the state’s southeastern corner, the Oregon Outback is a stretch of high desert punctuated by volcanic fissures, jagged rocks, and the odd town dating back to pioneer times.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
It’s punctuated with radical musical numbers and dance sequences, not quite seen before on the big screen.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Use bright colors and strong patterns to punctuate an otherwise neutral space.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Spanning the state’s southeastern corner, the Oregon Outback is a stretch of high desert punctuated by volcanic fissures, jagged rocks, and the odd town dating back to pioneer times.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuate
Verb
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Anne Arundel County police said their investigation into the incident is ongoing and emphasized that its officers do not enforce immigration law or conduct ICE operations.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
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Researchers emphasize that the full scope of the outbreak among elephant seals may be far greater than current numbers suggest.—
Brian Hackney,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Professor Alan Woodward, a security expert at the University of Surrey, highlighted the technical feasibility of espionage given the physical layout, The Telegraph reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
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Several top destinations in the Philippines are highlighted in the clip, including Bohol, Boracay, Malcapuya Island in Palawan, Pangasinan and Albay.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rising temperatures increase evaporation, further stressing a watershed already under pressure from growth and development.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Researchers stress this is only an association, and the benefit may reflect overall diet patterns rather than cheese itself.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The entertainment rooms can serve as places to enjoy cocktails and billiards (both villas feature Steinway & Sons grand pianos), the dining rooms feel cinematic without being too formal, and the bedroom suites favor comfort rather than flashiness.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
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The house features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuate. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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