emphasize

verb

em·​pha·​size ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz 

emphasized; emphasizing

transitive verb

: to place emphasis on : stress

emphasized the need for reform

Synonyms

• highlight
• feature
• stress

Examples of emphasize in a Sentence

supermarket tabloids that emphasize sensational news stories

that huge belt buckle only emphasizes his big gut

Recent Examples on the Web

The mayor also emphasized her intent never was to cancel the contract, only to delay it. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025

After the meeting, the school's founder and CEO Ahmed White emphasized the need for more alternative forms of education for students the current system may not be reaching. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

However, unlike exchanges focused on retail, Bullish caters to institutional investors, emphasizing Bitcoin and Ethereum trading. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Major tech firms, including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta, continue to increase capital spending to meet growing AI demand, while analysts like Wedbush’s Dan Ives and Treasury Partners’ Richard Saperstein emphasize the long-term potential. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

emphas(is) + -ize

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing emphasize

• de-emphasize
• re-emphasize

Rhymes for emphasize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

emphasize

verb

em·​pha·​size ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz 

emphasized; emphasizing

: to place emphasis on : stress as being important or so as to stand out