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 Roughly every 76 years, Halley punctuates history like an exclamation mark in the night sky. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The polling punctuates widespread Democratic warnings about Trump laying the groundwork for interfering in the midterm elections by asserting more control over mail-in voting and dispatching Justice Department monitors to polling places. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Saturday’s flyover in Cape Town punctuates a summer of aircraft flying stunningly close to the ground. — Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctuates
  1. emphasizes
  2. highlights
  3. stresses
  4. features
Verb
  • Child Mind Institute guidance on communicating with teenagers emphasizes listening, validating feelings and creating space where kids feel safe speaking up.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Intended to inform fashion, beauty, interiors and other consumer industries, the palette emphasizes shades that can change character through different combinations and materials.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of emphasizes
Verb
  • The demonstration highlights a persistent challenge in robotics.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • With more than 120 pieces on display — 74 from Krasner and 48 from Pollock — the show highlights Krasner as a titan of Abstract Expressionism, too.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of highlights
Verb
  • Riders without their dragons are as good as dead, and vice versa, which stresses the bond between human and beast formed on Threshing Day.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But, Rubin stresses, the review process doesn't necessarily stop projects from happening — and that's the point of participating in it.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of stresses
Verb
  • The label, which features a Japanese denim line, went public on the Tokyo stock exchange in 2025 at a valuation of roughly $460 million.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • It is remodeled with stylish carpeting, a warm color pallet, and features an attractive tray ceiling with subtle trim work.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of features

Browse Nearby Words

punctuated
punctuates
punctuating
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Cite this Entry

“Punctuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctuates. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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