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
3
: 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
The Trojans went on a 7-0 scoring run that was punctuated by a dunk from Ausar, which got USC a 17-0 lead – its biggest advantage of the first half.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
Even Liz and Prue, half sisters whose relationship had been punctuated by epic screaming fights, found common ground.
—Gabriel Sherman, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
All throughout December, fireworks punctuated the tropical nights, set off by families and delinquents alike, who took advantage of the pyrotechnics sold by street venders around town.
—Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
The color palette was inspired by the vibrant facades of Buenos Aires’ La Boca neighborhood, evolving from pure white to cobalt blue, and punctuated with shades of pink.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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
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