accentuate

accentuate

verb

Definition of ACCENTUATE

1

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on <let's accentuate the saxophones during this piece by having the sax players stand up>

Synonyms accent, accentuate, feature, foreground, highlight, illuminate, play up, point (up), press, punctuate, stress

Related Words focus, identify, pinpoint, spotlight; advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize; overplay

Near Antonyms tone (down), underemphasize, understate; belittle, discount, disparage, minimize

Antonyms de-emphasize, play down

2

to make markedly greater in measure or degree <the foul weather merely accentuated my feelings of depression>

Synonyms accentuate, amp (up), amplify, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen

Related Words broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, lengthen; accelerate, hasten, quicken; emphasize, point (up), sharpen, stress; augment, enforce, reinforce (also reenforce), restrengthen, supplement; maximize; enliven, jazz (up); aggravate, exacerbate

Near Antonyms decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), reduce, subdue, tone (down), weaken; dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane; alleviate, ease, lighten

Antonyms abate, moderate

3

to make more apparent <unfortunately, the new bedspread just accentuates the dinginess of the curtains behind the bed>

Synonyms accentuate, bring out, italicize, stress, underline, underscore

Related Words amplify, beef (up), boost, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; augment, deepen, enhance, enlarge, heighten, magnify, maximize, supplement; enliven, jazz (up)

Near Antonyms decrease, diminish, lessen, minimize, reduce, subdue, tone (down), understate, weaken

Antonyms de-emphasize