Did you know?
When you accentuate something you put an “accent,” or emphasis, on it. There’s no need to stress out if you don’t know the word’s history, though; its journey into the English language was very straightforward. It comes from Latin accentus, meaning “accent” (which itself comes in part from cantus, meaning “song”), and since the early 18th century, its meanings haven’t changed much. The word was initially used as a synonym of the verb accent to mean “to pronounce with greater stress or force,” which is a small leap from today’s meaning of “to make something more noticeable; to emphasize.” One excellent way to remember not only how to pronounce accentuate but also its etymological connection to song is the classic (and helpfully titled) tune “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, which has been performed by such luminaries as Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, and Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.
Examples of accentuate in a Sentence
Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
The properties highlight the use of color with plants that accentuate architectural details, such as doors and walls.
—Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
In contrast to her monochromatic all-black outfit, Kidman opted to accentuate her features with an iridescent light pink hue on her eyelids, cheekbones, and lips.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Michelle Williams, Vera Wang, 2006 A personal favorite for many is Michelle Williams’s yellow Vera Wang gown, with a plunging neckline accentuated by a feathery bust.
—Esther Zuckerman, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accentuate
Cite this Entry
“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accentuate. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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accentuate
verb
