underline

verb un·der·line \ ˈən-dər-ˌlīn , ˌən-dər-ˈlīn \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: underline in a Sentence

Definition of underline

underlined; underlining; underlines

transitive verb

1 : to mark (something, such as a word) with a line underneath

2 : to put emphasis on : stress

3 : to show clearly or emphatically

See underline defined for English-language learners

See underline defined for kids

Examples of underline in a Sentence

His name was underlined in the book.
The accident underlines our need for better safety procedures.

Recent Examples of underline from the Web

The dominance of third-person narrative over dialogue underlines the sense of almost mythic storytelling.

— demetrios matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lehman Trilogy': Theater Review," 13 July 2018
Its shift from close-ups to wide shots in many episodes underlines the ways all of these characters are at once trapped by Gilead and a part of it, unable to escape their own complicity.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "The Handmaid’s Tale season 2 was masterful. But it may have broken the show.," 11 July 2018
The fast pace of developments in the micromobility space only underlines the need for cities to enact rules as soon as possible.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "How cities should regulate the scooter surge," 11 July 2018
Spain’s situation underlines its reliance on Moroccan authorities to stop migrants who try either to cross the Strait of Gibraltar or to climb the fences that surround Spain’s two enclaves in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla.

— raphael minder, New York Times, "Spain’s Migrant Wave Grows, Even as Europe’s Subsides," 30 June 2018
Chrome underlines the grille and extends under the thin-profile headlights.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Mazda6 sedan gets a major update for 2018, with more elegance, tech," 29 June 2018
But the new list of the 500 swiftest machines underlines how much faster China is building them.

— steve lohr, The Seattle Times, "China extends its lead as most prolific supercomputer maker," 25 June 2018
The report underlines the domino effect these repetitive floods could have on a community if nothing is done.

— alex harris, miamiherald, "Florida has more to lose with sea rise than anywhere else in the U.S., new study says," 18 June 2018
The slow pace also underlines the reshaping of the front office, which was necessary since Van Gundy also served as president of basketball operations.

— vince ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey: 'Time is now' for team to contend," 17 June 2018

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

First Known Use of underline

1721

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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underline Synonyms

underline

noun un·der·line \ ˈən-dər-ˌlīn \

Definition of underline

1 : the outline of a quadruped's underbody; also : the ventral surface of a quadruped's body

2 : a horizontal line placed underneath something

Recent Examples of underline from the Web

The books are marked with underlines and checks in Wharton’s hand.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New England museums to visit this summer and fall," 4 July 2018
There might be multiple exclamation points, or several underlines, and that number will usually land somewhere in the 90s or high 80s.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "Not everyone's a fan of wine scores, but there's a way to use them," 25 Apr. 2018
The taillamps remain in the same location but have been restyled to feature a slim, lighted underline.

— tony markovich, Car and Driver, "2019 Jeep Cherokee: The Baby Grand," 17 Jan. 2018
And so a quote from the paper, rules tend to use formulas or equations for the policy instrument at least as a guide – and those underlines are mine, not John’s – when making decisions.

— WSJ, "Transcript: John Taylor Presentation and Q&A at Boston Fed," 15 Oct. 2017
This video below underlines just how far he's come.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "Jeff Sessions is doing what President Trump can't," 6 Sep. 2017
There is no question — underline no question — that the Russian government interfered in the U.S. election last year, and Moscow continues to meddle in the Democratic processes of our friends and allies.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Why conservatives loved Trump’s U.N. speech so much," 20 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of underline

1886

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

UNDERLINE Defined for English Language Learners

underline

verb

Definition of underline for English Language Learners

: to draw a line under (something)
: to emphasize (something) : to show the importance of (something)

UNDERLINE Defined for Kids

underline

verb un·der·line \ ˈən-dər-ˌlīn \

Definition of underline for Students

underlined; underlining

1 : to draw a line under

2 : emphasize

The poor results underline our need to try harder.

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UNDERLINE Defined for English Language Learners

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