punctuate

verb

punc·​tu·​ate ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt 

punctuated; punctuating

transitive verb

1

: to mark or divide (written matter) with punctuation marks

2

: to break into or interrupt at intervals

the steady click of her needles punctuated the silence

—Edith Wharton

3

: accentuate, emphasize

intransitive verb

: to use punctuation marks

punctuator

ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• accent
• accentuate
• emphasize
• feature
• foreground
• highlight
• illuminate
• play up
• point (up)
• press
• stress

Examples of punctuate in a Sentence

Do you know how to punctuate a sentence correctly?

punctuated each and every word of his denial with a pound of his fist on the table

Recent Examples on the Web

And again, that's just the beginning, with plenty more glamping sites punctuating the state. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025

Indeed, much of the album has a laidback ‘70s vibe, punctuated by Delilah’s scintillating guitar work. —Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Mornings stretch slowly over strong coffee and views of the turquoise Aegean and afternoons are for swimming at golden beaches, exploring stone pathways punctuated by hot pink cascades of bougainvillea, or doing nothing at all. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025

One dead giveaway of newborn stars is occasional pockets of light punctuating the inky tendrils of the molecular cloud. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin punctuatus, past participle of punctuare to point, provide with punctuation marks, from Latin punctus point

First Known Use

circa 1766, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for punctuate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

punctuate

verb

punc·​tu·​ate ˈpəŋ(k)-chə-ˌwāt 

punctuated; punctuating

1

: to mark or divide with punctuation marks

2

: to interrupt at intervals

a speech punctuated by a harsh cough