punctuate

1 of 2

verb

punc·​tu·​ate ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce punctuate (audio)
punctuated; punctuating
Synonyms of punctuatenext

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 How to pronounce punctuate (audio)
noun

punctuator

2 of 2

noun

punc·​tu·​a·​tor -tə(r) How to pronounce punctuator (audio)
plural -s
: one that punctuates

Synonyms of punctuate

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Verb

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Examples of punctuate in a Sentence

Verb 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Chocolate brown stripes punctuate a light charcoal gray background, and the low-pile weave made from recycled polyester gives it an impermeable, easy-to-clean surface. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026 The ace endured a rocky start punctuated by a hideous 11-run blowup in Minnesota and has now been sidelined with a shoulder injury since April 26. — Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 His warnings contrasted starkly with the brief but glorious interludes of culinary fabulism that punctuated our travel down South. — Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 Catcher Francisco Alvarez hit one of the Mets' four homers Wednesday night but punctuated his last at-bat, a strikeout in the eighth, by breaking his bat over his knee. — CBS News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for punctuate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Medieval Latin punctuatus, past participle of punctuare to point, provide with punctuation marks, from Latin punctus point

Noun

punctuate + -or

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1766, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of punctuate was circa 1766

Rhymes for punctuate

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Browse Nearby Words

punctualness
punctuate
punctuated equilibrium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

punctuate

verb
punc·​tu·​ate ˈpəŋ(k)-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce punctuate (audio)
punctuated; punctuating
1
: to mark or divide with punctuation marks
2
: to interrupt at intervals
a speech punctuated by a harsh cough

More from Merriam-Webster on punctuate

Nglish: Translation of punctuate for Spanish Speakers

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