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

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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 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 Silva, meanwhile, stunned in a matching halter dress, punctuating her bridal look with a chunky Elsa Peretti cuff. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 1 July 2026 Fresh-faced and energetic, with salt-and-pepper curls falling over the shoulders of her moss-green sweater and gold jewelry punctuating her gestures, Brock Akil is youthful in a way that defies Hollywood’s ever-more-plasticky imitation of youth. — Judy Berman, Time, 29 June 2026 Jalon Daniels launched a deep throw to veteran David Sills in the back of the end zone Wednesday, punctuating a 7-on-7 period with a touchdown. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuating
  1. emphasizing
  2. highlighting
  3. stressing
  4. featuring
Verb
  • Floral appliqués came in the form of a rosette at the hip, where gathered fabric created a thigh-high slit with cascading florals further emphasizing the asymmetric element.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
  • Some platforms respond to that demand by emphasizing volume, including larger caseloads, shorter-term care, and faster discharge.
    — Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of emphasizing
Verb
  • Despite falling just short in the final, Argentina come in third at 11 percent, highlighting how highly they are still regarded heading into the next four-year cycle.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the World Cup’s first-ever official halftime show was co-headlined by BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira, highlighting the competition’s mostly American backdrop and its international scope.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 19 July 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • No doubt many other religious institutions have seized on the World Cup with these and other emphases, including evangelizing and otherwise stressing their uniqueness.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Le Pen’s public positioning and rhetoric were conscious of the dynamic with Bardella, repeatedly stressing how close and loyal the two were.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026
Definition of stressing
Verb
  • Rooms The rooms vary in size and decor, but each one is true to the property's aesthetic, featuring pretty pastels, sumptuous bedding, soaring ceilings, and sparkling chandeliers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • Variety is bringing its acclaimed Sports & Entertainment franchise to New York City in its first-ever interview studio featuring conversations with the voices shaping the future of the sports and entertainment business on July 16.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
Definition of featuring

Browse Nearby Words

punctuates
punctuating
puncture
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Cite this Entry

“Punctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuating. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on punctuating

Nglish: Translation of punctuating for Spanish Speakers

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