Synonyms of punctuate

punctuate

verb

ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt 

as in to emphasize

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emphasize
• highlight
• stress
• feature
• accent
• accentuate
• identify
• illuminate
• point (up)
• play up
• focus
• foreground
• promote
• bear down on
• pinpoint
• make much of
• press
• advertise
• publicize
• spotlight
• boost
• plug
• overplay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tone (down)
• play down
• minimize
• understate
• de-emphasize
• underemphasize
• disparage
• belittle
• discount

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of punctuate

The socialist organization has been ascending since Bernie Sanders’s failed 2016 presidential run (Sanders is a lowercase d and s democratic socialist, not a member of the DSA)—an ascent that was punctuated by actual DSA member Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral win last year. —Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 6 May 2026

But no one more than Witt, who punctuated his presence with them in an entirely new way. —Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026

The refined contemporary interiors are punctuated throughout with terrazzo floors, warm wood paneling, and rough-hewn stone pillars. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 4 May 2026

On the western slope of the Andes mountains, in an area with few roads in or out, lies Tatamá National Park – a vast stretch of lush rain forest, punctuated by powerful rivers. —Andy Court, CBS News, 3 May 2026