punctuate
to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.
to interrupt at intervals: Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.
to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.
Origin of punctuate
1Other words from punctuate
- punc·tu·a·tor, noun
- non·punc·tu·at·ing, adjective
- re·punc·tu·ate, verb (used with object), re·punc·tu·at·ed, re·punc·tu·at·ing.
- un·punc·tu·at·ed, adjective
- un·punc·tu·at·ing, adjective
Words Nearby punctuate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use punctuate in a sentence
New Jersey’s largest city started to lose much of its population and economic base in the 1960s, punctuated by riots that broke out in 1967.
These Cities Tried to Tackle Disinvestment. Here Are Lessons From What Happened. | by Haru Coryne and Tony Briscoe | December 30, 2020 | ProPublicaThe Ravens punctuated a late touchdown with an “Easy money!”
NFL Week 14 power rankings: Chiefs return to No. 1 after Steelers’ stunning loss | Mark Maske | December 9, 2020 | Washington PostThe series, which begins streaming Friday, is punctuated with musical triumphs as the band tours the country and Mexico.
‘Selena: The Series’ might be on the small screen, but it paints a bigger picture of the iconic Tejano singer’s life | Bethonie Butler | December 3, 2020 | Washington PostCompressions and expansions of space punctuate your emotions.
You have until Nov. 22 to visit these six Smithsonian museums. Here’s what to expect. | Kelsey Ables | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostGonzalez’s testimony on the bill was punctuated with phrases like “it’s been difficult,” “we still have a lot of work to do” when describing the effort to refine the original law.
Sacramento Report: Bill Would Let City Attorney Collect More in Consumer Cases | Voice of San Diego | August 7, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
At each point, the audience was eager to punctuate his rhetoric with cheers and applause.
At the Values Voter Summit, It’s YOLO Conservatism | Jamelle Bouie | October 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThese manic episodes, however, only punctuate a life that is most fundamentally pathetic.
It was an almost schizophrenic existence, and a few bizarre remnants of this doublethink still punctuate my life here.
He even went so far as to punctuate the scoop with an exclamation point!
How the Drudge Report, With Its Condoleezza Rice ‘Scoop,’ Again Rules the Media | Lauren Ashburn | July 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTTo punctuate her observation Jessie Norwood lifted the iron latch and jerked open the door.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn | Margaret PenroseBe careful, then, to punctuate properly, that you may convey to the reader the exact sense of what is in your mind.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyHe banged the table with his riding-crop to punctuate the emphasis.
The Ghost Breaker | Charles GoddardA little constraint—a natural blush to punctuate their talk—the meeting seemed conventional enough.
Under the Rose | Frederic Stewart IshamI must know the laws of rhythm and meter to be able to punctuate musical phrases and periods.
Piano Mastery | Harriette Brower
British Dictionary definitions for punctuate
/ (ˈpʌŋktjʊˌeɪt) /
(also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)
to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals: a meeting punctuated by heckling
to give emphasis to
Origin of punctuate
1Derived forms of punctuate
- punctuator, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse