exclamation point

noun

1
: a mark ! used especially after an interjection or exclamation to indicate forceful utterance or strong feeling
2
: a distinctive indication of major significance, interest, or contrast
the game put an exclamation point on the season

called also exclamation mark

Examples of exclamation point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That acrobatic moment was the exclamation point on a productive day for Barkley, who was the difference for Philadelphia on Sunday. Ben Morse, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024 And the exclamation point emphasizes the encouragement. Gary Stern, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 The Messages app can now bold or italicize text, and users can now react to messages using emojis instead of the previously available options, which included a question mark, exclamation point, heart and thumbs-up. Kif Leswing, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2024 There are a few exclamation marks in Dora's history of Nolvadex, four to be precise, and a bit of punctuation wouldn't normally draw attention to itself, but in Dora's case, an exclamation point does, especially coming from a very quiet person. Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exclamation point 

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exclamation point was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near exclamation point

Cite this Entry

“Exclamation point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclamation%20point. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

exclamation point

noun
: a punctuation mark ! used chiefly after an exclamation to show a forceful way of speaking or a strong feeling

More from Merriam-Webster on exclamation point

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