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
Edwards, who punctuated most of his 28 NASCAR Cup victories with his signature backflip from the rear of his vehicle, won 72 career races across all three national series to rank 14th all-time.
—Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2024
To punctuate the moment, Schneider turns and does a line of coke.
—Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
Demi Moore is hosting the gala on May 23, a showing that will punctuate a busy festival for the veteran actress who has a film in competition, The Substance, and duties with Chopard as the jeweler’s godmother for a gala ceremony.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2024
The person in the perfect spot to do so: Martin.
Martin hit his second home run of the day, a two-run shot to punctuate the big inning.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for punctuate 
Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2024
To punctuate the moment, Schneider turns and does a line of coke.
—Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
Demi Moore is hosting the gala on May 23, a showing that will punctuate a busy festival for the veteran actress who has a film in competition, The Substance, and duties with Chopard as the jeweler’s godmother for a gala ceremony.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2024
The person in the perfect spot to do so: Martin.
Martin hit his second home run of the day, a two-run shot to punctuate the big inning.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for punctuate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punctuate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.
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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