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

The ‘Stangs lost big to No. 4 Palmer Ridge (44-7) and No. 1 Dakota Ridge (36-7) in the first six weeks but enter November on a four-game heater punctuated by a 45-34 victory over Heritage. —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024

At age 14, my life became a state of constant exhaustion, punctuated by doctors’ visits that, months later, would lead to a Long COVID diagnosis. —Alana Kaufman, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024

The singing and sermons were punctuated by calls for justice. —CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024

But his tenure has also been punctuated by a number of chastening defeats and performances over the last two seasons have heaped pressure on the manager. —Ben Church, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024

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

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