punctuate

American  

[puhngk-choo-eyt] / ˈpʌŋk tʃuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

punctuated, punctuating

1. to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.

2. to interrupt at intervals.

   Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.

3. to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.

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verb (used without object)

punctuated, punctuating

1. to insert or use marks of punctuation.

punctuate British  

/ ˈpʌŋktjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. (also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)

2. to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals

   a meeting punctuated by heckling

3. to give emphasis to

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Other Word Forms

• nonpunctuating adjective
• punctuator noun
• repunctuate verb (used with object)
• unpunctuated adjective
• unpunctuating adjective

Etymology

Origin of punctuate

1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; punctual

Example Sentences

Loud pop and rock music blares down the entire block, punctuated by the odd cheer and whoop from spectators.

From BBC

After the hack, I experienced numbness punctuated only by feelings of anger and shame.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, Jackson's later years would be punctuated by scandal, including revelations of marital infidelity and financial impropriety involving his son and political heir, Jesse Jackson Jr, who served as a congressman from Illinois.

From BBC

Bondi’s testimony on the Epstein files was mostly punctuated by dramatic clashes with lawmakers — exchanges that happened as eight Epstein survivors attended the hearing.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, it may have been punctuated by intervals sometimes described as 'slushball' or more extensive 'waterbelt' states, when pockets of open ocean appeared.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• interrupt
• intersperse
• pepper
• sprinkle
• underline