punctuates

verb

present tense third-person singular of punctuate
as in emphasizes
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

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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 punctuates 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 One especially colorful backdrop punctuates a climactic scene in which Einbinder and Anderson walk hand-in-hand, covered in blood. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 The tragic and avoidable death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a runaway carriage, punctuates the urgent need for reform. — Wayne Pacelle, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 Anna’s guess comes closest, and Ify’s is furthest, which Sam punctuates via the first instance of the song that defines this episode. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026 The distant thud of shelling punctuates the evening, refuting one guest’s optimism that the latest ceasefire agreement will endure. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 Music, in fact, punctuates the intense dramatic story arcs in Wilde’s third directorial feature, an Edward Albee-like relationship dramedy set around a frisky dinner get-together between two couples in a San Francisco apartment building. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 1 July 2026 Renowned gold-leaf atelier Giusto Manetti Battiloro, whose restoration portfolio includes the Florence Cathedral, London’s Big Ben, and the Rockefeller Center’s Prometheus statue, was commissioned to create the beacon-like element that punctuates the building’s light-refracting white facade. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 June 2026 Guest guitarist Tom Morello punctuates the sound on stage in a style uniquely his own, his pedal board a force to be reckoned with and his famously political approach to music a distinctly on-brand fit for the tour. — Brandon Shaw, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuates
  1. emphasizes
  2. highlights
  3. stresses
  4. features
Verb
  • The piece emphasizes that Californians, especially Democrats and independents, strongly favor voting by mail and already rely on it at very high rates, suggesting that restricting mail ballots would disenfranchise large numbers of lawful voters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • New research into the interior of Mars further emphasizes that the Red Planet is a world of two very different halves.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of emphasizes
Verb
  • This column highlights some of Rick’s favorite places and travel insights over a lifetime of exploring Europe and sharing his discoveries.
    — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Tang hopes that his research highlights the need for more education on the clinician side to reduce the disparities in response rates.
    — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of highlights
Verb
  • The warmer weather also dries out the soil and stresses plants, especially those in drought-prone regions such as the West and the Southwest.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Consequently, Aydemir stresses that silk denim is aimed more at premium and fashion-forward segments rather than utility markets, which inherently limits its range of applications.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stresses
Verb
  • The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Where to eat and drink The 1947 classic Cattlemen's Steak House, which was given a new life—along with a members-only club in its basement—by mega-producer Taylor Sheridan, features modern steakhouse go-tos.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of features

Browse Nearby Words

punctuated
punctuates
punctuating
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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