as in to emphasize
to indicate the importance of by giving prominent display
the dean's speech underlined some of the impressive accomplishments racked up by members of the graduation class
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underline
Stock market performance has been strong recently, but a major drop earlier this month underlined the volatility of keeping your money fully invested in stocks and bonds.
—
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 June 2026
In a presentation to the council in March, the urgency of the timeline was underlined.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 9 June 2026
The phrase did contain a kind of affection, the perverse, frank, aggressive kind that follows, or underlines, an assertion of control.
—Andrea Bajani, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Zesty mandarin and warm amber break through the June gloom, offering a cozy yet uplifting effect underlined by fragrant cardamom.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for underline
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 June 2026
In a presentation to the council in March, the urgency of the timeline was underlined.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 9 June 2026
The phrase did contain a kind of affection, the perverse, frank, aggressive kind that follows, or underlines, an assertion of control.
—Andrea Bajani, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Zesty mandarin and warm amber break through the June gloom, offering a cozy yet uplifting effect underlined by fragrant cardamom.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for underline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underline
Verb
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The jury agreed and convicted Thomas of manslaughter instead of murder, with some jurors emphasizing the role of his addiction.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Salaviza described the short form as a pure mode of expression in which authentic emotion is fundamental, while von Döhren – drawing on her parallel career as an illustrator – emphasized how effectively the format can convey feeling through storytelling.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The project also reinforces San Diego’s growing status as a center for fusion research and development.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
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Activating them during exposure work may reinforce the therapeutic learning happening in the room, helping patients form new emotional associations with traumatic memories rather than experiencing them as immediate threats.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underline. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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