as in emphasizing
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 punctuating
Trae Young won Madison Square Garden’s undying enmity in the 2021 playoffs for the Atlanta Hawks, punctuating game-breaking shots by shushing the crowd or bowing to the fans and waving goodbye.
—
Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Munden injected tension and something even more primal and powerful than tension by punctuating Ralph’s efforts to navigate the island with stills of trees.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
The half-dozen screens punctuating the show with this gesture offer potent and campy but all-too-serious reminders that anger and nostalgia for a world of white supremacy are not dead.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The confab came a day after the S & P 500 closed at its first record high since late January, punctuating its dramatic comeback from the Iran war sell-off.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
Khori Bennett added the Switchbacks’ third and final goal in the 84th minute, punctuating Colorado Springs’ stunning upset over a higher-division opponent.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Michigan finished the job, punctuating a remarkable two-year turnaround for May, who arrived at Michigan in 2024 after taking Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
There are dozens of picturesque villages punctuating the landscapes in and around the mountains, making plentiful pit stops a must on your journey through the Dolomites.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Carpenter accessorized with peep-toe mules, punctuating her look with her go-to blonde curls.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Munden injected tension and something even more primal and powerful than tension by punctuating Ralph’s efforts to navigate the island with stills of trees.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
The half-dozen screens punctuating the show with this gesture offer potent and campy but all-too-serious reminders that anger and nostalgia for a world of white supremacy are not dead.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The confab came a day after the S & P 500 closed at its first record high since late January, punctuating its dramatic comeback from the Iran war sell-off.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
Khori Bennett added the Switchbacks’ third and final goal in the 84th minute, punctuating Colorado Springs’ stunning upset over a higher-division opponent.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Michigan finished the job, punctuating a remarkable two-year turnaround for May, who arrived at Michigan in 2024 after taking Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
There are dozens of picturesque villages punctuating the landscapes in and around the mountains, making plentiful pit stops a must on your journey through the Dolomites.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Carpenter accessorized with peep-toe mules, punctuating her look with her go-to blonde curls.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuating
Verb
-
After Love Is Blind season four, producers publicly responded to online conversations and allegations from former contestants regarding participant welfare, emphasizing the support protocols for cast members.—
Jacqueline Jevtich,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
First, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the end of vaccination requirements in his state, emphasizing the tyranny of basic public health.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday, the clinic also posted a video on its Instagram account highlighting emergency equipment, including a crash cart, and personnel available at the facility.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
As the murder trial got underway, supporters of both families gathered outside the courthouse alongside activists and online personalities, highlighting the intense public interest surrounding the proceedings.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
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With drought stressing the Colorado River and other water supplies, the promise of a new supply from the Pacific Ocean seems politically irresistible.—
Sara Sutherland,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
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Johnson pushed back against Pulte's critics -- arguing that the president has the prerogative to choose his Cabinet while stressing that the president told reporters that Pulte would serve on an acting basis -- up to 210 days without Senate confirmation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The Toledo Police Department said a manhunt is underway for Ka Nye Taylor, who is wanted on 11 counts of felonious assault in connection with the June 6 shooting near the popular Old West End Festival, an annual event featuring live music, food vendors and home tours.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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The talent on display will be breathtaking and the matches should be thrilling, though a bloated group stage featuring 72 matches could dilute some of the excitement early in the tournament.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuating. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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