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 of punctuate

• emphasize
• highlight
• stress
• feature

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 two have an enmity that goes back more than four decades, with outbursts of fighting or outright war punctuated by periods of tense calm. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Tafari’s tasty ending, his second goal in this year’s tournament, punctuated an appetizing second half, which saw Son also assist Timothy Tillman prior to Toluca’s equalizer off a classy finish by midfielder Jesús Angulo. —Josh Gross, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

The serious subject matter is punctuated by many very on-the-nose jokes that don't always include enough nuance but, after all, that is kind of the whole point. —Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026

Afterward, stroll River Street, where retail therapy punctuates a perfect day. —Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for punctuate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

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