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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of underline
The proposals also underline city leaders’ interest in seeing federal funding for water projects not be eliminated, Gold said.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
The Panthers again have verified my claim, and served to underline my admittedly harsh nickname for McDavid.
McOverrated.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Stuart James Nicolas Jackson’s indiscretion underlines why Chelsea need a summer upgrade
The striker is yet to wrest control of a key game and will now be absent over the season's run-in after being sent off at St James' Park
How good are Brazil’s Club World Cup teams?
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The latest scenes of death, violence and desperation underline a grim existence for over 2.1 million people living in Gaza – which the United Nations has warned is edging closer to famine.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underline
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
The Panthers again have verified my claim, and served to underline my admittedly harsh nickname for McDavid.
McOverrated.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Stuart James Nicolas Jackson’s indiscretion underlines why Chelsea need a summer upgrade
The striker is yet to wrest control of a key game and will now be absent over the season's run-in after being sent off at St James' Park
How good are Brazil’s Club World Cup teams?
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The latest scenes of death, violence and desperation underline a grim existence for over 2.1 million people living in Gaza – which the United Nations has warned is edging closer to famine.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underline
Verb
-
However, unlike Biden’s orders--which routinely expanded whole-of-government regulatory frameworks--Trump’s 2025 orders emphasize dismantling Biden-era rulings and forcing courts to test the limits of streamlining frameworks.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
This approach allows for subtle control over speech rhythm and tone, giving the user the ability to interrupt, emphasize, or ask questions just as anyone else would.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The goal isn’t to separate the machine from the workforce, but to build an inclusive system where the two operate together, reinforcing each other’s strengths.—
Priya Vijayarajendran,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Scaring a black bear can reinforce its natural fear of people and help keep it from lingering in neighborhoods and other areas where conflicts often arise.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underline. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share