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
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
Delivered with an ease that flirts with comedy, it can be taken as humor punctuating drama.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
There were no laughs, with the audience remaining silent and punctuating parts of Kimmel’s speech with a big applause.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Delivered with an ease that flirts with comedy, it can be taken as humor punctuating drama.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
There were no laughs, with the audience remaining silent and punctuating parts of Kimmel’s speech with a big applause.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuating
Verb
-
Collins says the tremor does not interfere with her work, emphasizing her consistent voting record and active role leading Senate budget negotiations.—
Patrick Whittle,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
The two experts revealed the new, higher death toll alongside Central Florida lawmakers at a press conference outside the building that once was touted as a walk-through tour showcasing sloths while emphasizing conservation and education.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Given out for free in streetside orange boxes and in stacks at cafés, The L was stylish and well-informed, highlighting locally famous names and haunts, and establishing a sense of shared community for the corridor.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
And people shouldn’t bash him for highlighting a California culinary institution that’s one of the better legacy fast food chains out there, even though the Barstow Taco is, well, whatever.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Berger also warned against attempts by Israelis to deceive foreign agents, stressing that any contact is a serious offense.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Spain’s head of emergency services sought to assauge these fears by stressing all the individuals onboard are currently asymptomatic.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, began at the Great Hall of the People moments after a welcome ceremony that seemed to impress the president, featuring a Chinese military honor guard and a greeting from excited schoolchildren.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Read Variety‘s cover story about the long road to Season 50 — featuring interviews with players and producers from the past and present — here.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuating. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
