emphasize

emphasize

verb

Definition of EMPHASIZE

1

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on <supermarket tabloids that emphasize sensational news stories>

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

Phrases bear down on, make much of

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

Antonyms de-emphasize, play down

2

to make more apparent <that huge belt buckle only emphasizes his big gut>

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