underline

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verb

un·​der·​line ˈən-dər-ˌlīn  ˌən-dər-ˈlīn 

underlined; underlining; underlines

transitive verb

1

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

2

: to put emphasis on : stress

The incident underlines our need our need for better procedures.

3

: to show clearly or emphatically

underline

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noun

un·​der·​line ˈən-dər-ˌlīn 

1

: the outline of a quadruped's underbody

also : the ventral surface of a quadruped's body

2

: a horizontal line placed underneath something

Synonyms of underline

Verb

• emphasize
• reinforce

Examples of underline in a Sentence

Verb

His name was underlined in the book.

The accident underlines our need for better safety procedures.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Those details point to a player now central to Guardiola’s structure, and the numbers mirror the eye test and underline how Nico has become City’s quiet metronome, setting a rhythm that keeps them in control. —Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

The report underlined that the maturity of advanced nuclear technologies that may be implemented for an FNPP is currently low. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025

Noun

OpenAI’s $40 billion funding earlier this year remains the single largest deal, while Anthropic’s $13 billion round and Mistral’s €1.7 billion Series C underline the dominance of a handful of major players. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025

As the events of recent days underline, the diplomatic shift is clear. —Muhammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underline

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

underline

verb

un·​der·​line

ˈən-dər-ˌlīn, 

ˌən-dər-ˈlīn

1

: to draw a line under : underscore

2

: emphasize

underline

ˈən-dər-ˌlīn

noun