punctuating

verb

present participle of punctuate
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punctuating Mensah capped that drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Toney and the two connected on a 2-yard score on the next possession with Toney punctuating both TDs with a Heisman pose for the Hurricanes fans in that corner of the stadium. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Which brings us to the astonishing contrast amplified on Thursday night with the unveiling of the $250 million north end zone project punctuating MU’s 100th anniversary in the stadium. — Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026 The attack comes as Russia has sharply intensified its air campaign in recent days, with air raid sirens sounding repeatedly across Kyiv and explosions and the rumble of air defenses punctuating the city throughout the day. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 The explosions provide different interruptions, punctuating the moment as one of Keeley’s ideas plays out in real time. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 Cabins open to terraces overlooking the surrounding pines and exude a Wes Anderson summer camp vibe, with touches of industrial-style metal punctuating the wooden facades. — Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026 Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo feasted off low crosses to each score twice, punctuating this as the World Cup of cutbacks. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Our Revolution endorsed Jackson in the Senate race by Tuesday afternoon, punctuating its support with a call for urgency. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2026 Hernandez and the stadium reacted in pure joy, Hernandez’s bat flip punctuating it. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuating
  1. emphasizing
  2. highlighting
  3. stressing
  4. featuring
Verb
  • For example, expressing appreciation for past help or thanking the doctor for their time was more helpful than emphasizing sadness or frustration.
    — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Roberts spent much of his six-page dissent emphasizing the historic nature of the White House complex, quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the end of his opinion.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of emphasizing
Verb
  • This is when the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale kicks off and lasts for a few weeks, highlighting thousands of prestige brands and SKUs that are normally never discounted—on Nordstrom or elsewhere!
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Single Americans who say income matters in a relationship expect a potential lifelong partner to earn an average of $139,000 a year, according to a new survey highlighting the growing role finances play in modern dating.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • Both leaders warn that even giants like Amazon aren't too big to fail, stressing customer focus and constant adaptation.
    — Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After the recent brawls, both teams released statements stressing the importance of a safe ballpark environment.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stressing
Verb
  • The publication grew under her leadership, and encompassed a more diverse range of voices, featuring the likes of Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, and Alice Walker.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The 29-year-old decided to become a botanical preservation artist and launched Bunga Karsa, a line of botanical jewelry and accessories featuring real flowers grown at her tiny University Park apartment.
    — Leigh-Ann Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of featuring

Browse Nearby Words

punctuates
punctuating
puncture
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuating. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All