How to Use punctuate in a Sentence

punctuate

verb
  • Do you know how to punctuate a sentence correctly?
  • But the path of life isn’t one of steady health punctuated by brief crises.
    — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 20 June 2018
  • This year, lean on the fall scarf to keep warm, and punctuate any outfit.
    — Rachel Besser, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2020
  • The lights jump from blackout to full and back to black to punctuate the show’s two acts.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
  • As if to punctuate that, thunder thumped again.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
  • The sound of sirens is punctuated by rapid bursts of gunfire.
    — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, 13 Sep. 2019
  • Dozens of the birds crest the ridges alone, in pairs, strung out in groups that punctuate the sky like ellipses.
    — Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Nov. 2020
  • Johnston punctuated his walk-off with a high bat flip.
    — Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Higgins then punctuated that drive with a nine-yard, goal line fade.
    — Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
  • But new dwellings punctuate the landscape, and more are being built.
    — J.d. Morris, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Oct. 2021
  • His two-run triple then punctuated a seven-run fourth.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
  • In the chill of the night, his breathing was punctuated by a deep, heavy cough, like a dog’s.
    — Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Bonham made a fast-break dunk in the final seconds to punctuate the win.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The scars of at least a dozen landslides punctuate the view in all directions.
    — Katherine Kornei, Science | AAAS, 20 Nov. 2019
  • Their Utah organ will punctuate this moment of joy to the world.
    — The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Dec. 2022
  • His fellows punctuate this with a smart rap of their knobkerries on the lids of rubbish bins.
    — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Carrillo hit a three-run home run in the fifth to punctuate the scoring.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
  • To punctuate the moment, Schneider turns and does a line of coke.
    — Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
  • Mister and the Saints punctuated the first half with two more scores.
    — Aidan Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2023
  • The sounds of machine gun fire punctuated the pair’s race to safety.
    — Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023
  • Shrieks and laughter punctuated the air as the kids raced around the playground.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Summerhays wasn’t able to punctuate the scene with a birdie, sliding his first putt just past the hole.
    — Theo MacKie, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2022
  • Here, baby blue stripes punctuate each ring finger, while silver baubles add a touch of shine.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
  • They’re served with a bright and lemony yogurt sauce punctuated with dill.
    — Tribune News Service, Denver Post, 24 June 2026
  • Art history has been punctuated by debates over what a square can mean or do.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
  • Your fists punctuate the air, your fingers drum on the steering wheel, your hips rock back and forth, for each of those ten beats.
    — Caryn Rose, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2021
  • The question hung in the cold air, punctuated by the sound of a snoring beagle.
    — Melanie D.g. Kaplan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
  • The story arcs over 24 hours, punctuated by the tidal rhythms.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Of course, Guerrero punctuated it with his own twist.
    — The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • What would punctuate this as one of the best Final Fours ever?
    — USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2022

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punctuate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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