as in emphasizes
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 punctuates
In the hands of the six-piece band, the shivering chords of that miniature apocalyptic soul song build into a cathartic climax, which Wasner punctuates with weeping slide guitar.
—
Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
Storrie punctuates the jab with a shot from his finger guns, which brings Johnson crumbling to the ground.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026
Crisp dialogue punctuates the story as Clark richly shows how people actually talk to each other, from the police colleagues to families in distress.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
The closing scene, in which the four embrace as fireworks go off, punctuates all of this onscreen thinking with external action to match.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Their jawboning punctuates the stillnesses in the forest.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Nov. 2025
The Aces success punctuates how sports have arrived in Vegas, with the Stanley Cup-winning success of the Golden Knights and imminent arrival of Major League Baseball’s Athletics.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 11 Oct. 2025
There’s a tennis court, a wild swimming pool, and a whimsical folly tower that punctuates the landscape like a page from a storybook.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
This trade also punctuates just what a disaster the team’s 2024 draft was.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
Storrie punctuates the jab with a shot from his finger guns, which brings Johnson crumbling to the ground.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026
Crisp dialogue punctuates the story as Clark richly shows how people actually talk to each other, from the police colleagues to families in distress.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
The closing scene, in which the four embrace as fireworks go off, punctuates all of this onscreen thinking with external action to match.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Their jawboning punctuates the stillnesses in the forest.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Nov. 2025
The Aces success punctuates how sports have arrived in Vegas, with the Stanley Cup-winning success of the Golden Knights and imminent arrival of Major League Baseball’s Athletics.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 11 Oct. 2025
There’s a tennis court, a wild swimming pool, and a whimsical folly tower that punctuates the landscape like a page from a storybook.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
This trade also punctuates just what a disaster the team’s 2024 draft was.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuates
Verb
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Northrop Grumman emphasizes that the aircraft’s integration with aerial refueling significantly extends its range, enabling longer missions and more efficient test sorties.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
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Its elegant glam design emphasizes vibrant hues and sensual curvy lines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But while the report highlights billions in technology spending over several years, the district’s annual budget is far larger, meaning those costs account for a relatively small share of overall spending.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The study highlights a shift in bioengineering approaches, moving from single-organism engineering toward cooperative microbial systems that behave like living electrical circuits.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bissell stresses that consumers should not dispose of the machine, water tank cap, and measuring cup of cleaners, as those parts are not affected.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a $10 cover charge for the evening, and Stagecoach stresses that Langley will not be in attendance.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Monday features three games with the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets looking to take 2-0 series leads.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The third season of Euphoria, which premiered on HBO Max on April 12, features a five-year time jump, taking the characters from adolescence into young adulthood.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuates. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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