emphasis

noun

em·pha·sis | \ ˈem(p)-fə-səs

plural emphases\ ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsēz

Definition of emphasis

1a : force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something

b : a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables

2 : special consideration of or stress or insistence on something

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about emphasis

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Synonyms & Antonyms for emphasis

Synonyms

accent, accentuation, stress, underscoring, weight

Antonyms

de-emphasis

Examples of emphasis in a Sentence

Our candidate's plan has a different emphasis. a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports

Recent Examples on the Web

But the changing emphasis, analysts say, has spawned another problem: How to move rising inventories of SUVs on dealer lots. ... — Adrienne Roberts, WSJ, "Discounts on SUVs Are Getting Bigger as Dealer Inventories Rise," 18 Feb. 2019 Expect to see more emphasis on Intel’s collaborative work in 1-watt display panels, Newman said, along with undisclosed improvements in battery technology. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Inside Project Athena: How Intel and PC makers are creating the ultra-responsive laptops of tomorrow," 7 Jan. 2019 An emphasis on community-building through cooperation rather than conflict. — Aja Romano, Vox, "In the era of Trump and apocalyptic change, Hopepunk is a storytelling template for #resistance — and hanging onto your humanity at all costs.," 27 Dec. 2018 The big difference, however, is the emphasis on girl's asking guys. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "What Even is a Sadie Hawkins Dance and Where Did It Come From?," 14 Feb. 2019 One of the prevailing themes of Mid-Century Modern architecture is a nearly equal emphasis on function and form. — Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, "This Is Why Millennials Love Mid-Century Modern Homes So Much," 7 Dec. 2018 Instead, the new game has a lighting system pretty much as flat as the Wii U one, only now there's an emphasis on each combatant's edges looking crisper and brighter. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Smash Bros. Ultimate review: The best fighting game on any Nintendo system," 6 Dec. 2018 Courtesy In recent years, fashion brands have placed increasingly emphasis on sustainability—from Stella McCartney, who pioneered the movement, to contemporary eco-friendly brands like Everlane and Amur. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "Madewell's New Swimsuit Line Is Both Sustainable and Affordable," 27 Feb. 2019 The intent of a stretch- and recovery-focused studio like Stretch Relief is to place a strong emphasis on the more gentle, restorative parts of an exercise program. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "What Is a Stretch Studio? Here’s What You Need to Know About This Growing Fitness Trend," 24 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emphasis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.