punctuate

verb

ˈpəŋk-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce punctuate (audio)
Definition of punctuatenext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of punctuate In recent years, the global chocolate world has entered a period of unprecedented turmoil, punctuated by cocoa bean shortages and roller-coaster price fluctuations. — Alfredo Sosa, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026 The brand’s iconic shade of green punctuates the design on the booth textiles and terrazzo flooring that extends from the interior through to the outdoor patio. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Applaud, hug, or do a victory dance with your toddler to punctuate the moment and give them a sense of pride in their achievement. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 Within two years though, that alien landscape had matured into a sea of textured blooms and foliage, buzzing with life, punctuated by garden art, and threaded with inviting pathways. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punctuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuate
  1. emphasize
  2. highlight
  3. stress
  4. feature
Verb
  • At a high level of abstraction, some scholars emphasize the multiplicity itself as a key aspect of Hinduism.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Since Tiffany’s attacks began, Crowley has moved in Hong’s general direction, emphasizing his requirements—using exclusively renewable energy to power new data centers, building them with union labor—for developers to receive the tax breaks.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of emphasize
Verb
  • In a statement posted on social media, Obama highlighted Parton’s humble roots, colossal impact in music and Hollywood, and her philanthropic work.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Property Masters Guild aims to highlight and elevate the craft of the Property Master by raising awareness, fostering collaboration among craft artisans, educating its members and inspiring future generations of Property Masters.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of highlight
Verb
  • Community health workers also stress AI's inability to build trust and human connection, especially in underserved areas.
    — Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Responding to journalists' questions, Macron urged the United States not to hoard cutting-edge AI technologies for itself and stressed that countries must engage in global cooperation on AI regulation.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of stress
Verb
  • The black patent leather high heel sandal featured a prominent, voluminous pompom and fringe trim at the heel.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Yamazaki returns as director for a film Toho and Gkids describe as featuring more extensive effects work than its predecessor, while keeping its post-World War II Japan setting grounded in the experiences of its characters.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of feature

Browse Nearby Words

punctually
punctuate
punctuated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of conscientious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All