punctuate
verb
punc·tu·ate
ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt 
punctuated; punctuating
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
Edith Wharton3
: to use punctuation marks
Synonyms
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
Better Man follows Williams’s hardscrabble youth, his rise to fame, and the ups and downs that came with notoriety, all punctuated by interpretations of some of his most famous tracks.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
At a pro-Palestinian street protest in Columbus, Ohio, last fall, demonstrators march to the rhythm of liberation chants, punctuated by occasional horns from passing cars.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
Almost all evidence of our home’s existence is gone, save the growing text record of hundreds of messages of concern, condolences and offers to help — and my grateful responses, each one punctuated by jokes and deflecting.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
Instead, that fruit and lingering honey sweetness hang on, punctuated by a late burst of pineapple and more light salinity to help cut things in a welcome fashion.
—David Thomas Tao, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
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David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
At a pro-Palestinian street protest in Columbus, Ohio, last fall, demonstrators march to the rhythm of liberation chants, punctuated by occasional horns from passing cars.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
Almost all evidence of our home’s existence is gone, save the growing text record of hundreds of messages of concern, condolences and offers to help — and my grateful responses, each one punctuated by jokes and deflecting.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
Instead, that fruit and lingering honey sweetness hang on, punctuated by a late burst of pineapple and more light salinity to help cut things in a welcome fashion.
—David Thomas Tao, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for punctuate
Articles Related to punctuate
Dictionary Entries Near punctuate
Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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