Library / English Dictionary

PUNCTUATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Insert punctuation marks into

Synonyms:

mark; punctuate

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "punctuate" is one way to...):

add (make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "punctuate"):

quote (put quote marks around)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

punctuation (the use of certain marks to clarify meaning of written material by grouping words grammatically into sentences and clauses and phrases)

punctuation (the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Interrupt periodically

Example:

Her sharp questions punctuated the speaker's drone

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "punctuate" is one way to...):

break up; cut off; disrupt; interrupt (make a break in)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

To stress, single out as important

Example:

Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet

Synonyms:

accent; accentuate; emphasise; emphasize; punctuate; stress

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "punctuate" is one way to...):

evince; express; show (give expression to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "punctuate"):

background; downplay; play down (understate the importance or quality of)

bring out; set off (direct attention to, as if by means of contrast)

re-emphasise; re-emphasize (emphasize anew)

bear down (pay special attention to)

topicalize (emphasize by putting heavy stress on or by moving to the front of the sentence)

point up (emphasize, especially by identification)

drive home; press home; ram home (make clear by special emphasis and try to convince somebody of something)

emphasise; emphasize; underline; underscore (give extra weight to (a communication))

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

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