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
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
Some mornings still held uncertainty, and our occasional rides to school were punctuated by box-breathing and fixed stares as my son geared himself up to open the car door and walk into the building.
—Elizabeth Austin, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
In the intrepid garden (2023), a tapestry of worn saris is punctuated by decorative shelves holding small sculptures based on European porcelain figurines that depict pastoral fantasies of a harmonious, effortless relation to nature.
—Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Working in the post office for his last week putting on the finishing brushstrokes, Anderson’s work was punctuated by hellos and fist bumps, inquiries and compliments.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
Grand-scale rooms throughout are punctuated by a mix of stone and white oak floors, soaring ceilings, black granite walls, and chrome accents.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
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Elizabeth Austin, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
In the intrepid garden (2023), a tapestry of worn saris is punctuated by decorative shelves holding small sculptures based on European porcelain figurines that depict pastoral fantasies of a harmonious, effortless relation to nature.
—Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Working in the post office for his last week putting on the finishing brushstrokes, Anderson’s work was punctuated by hellos and fist bumps, inquiries and compliments.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
Grand-scale rooms throughout are punctuated by a mix of stone and white oak floors, soaring ceilings, black granite walls, and chrome accents.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 31 Mar. 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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