underscore

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​score ˈən-dər-ˌskȯr 

underscored; underscoring; underscores

transitive verb

1

: to draw a line under : underline

2

: to make evident : emphasize, stress

arrived early to underscore the importance of the occasion

3

: to provide (action on film) with accompanying music

underscore

2 of 2

noun

1

: a line drawn under a word or line especially for emphasis or to indicate intent to italicize

2

: music accompanying the action and dialogue of a film

Synonyms

Verb

• emphasize
• reinforce

Examples of underscore in a Sentence

Verb

These failures underscore the difficulty of what we're attempting to do.

The President's visit underscores the administration's commitment to free trade.

She underscored the most important points.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cutting that exemption underscores how important the US is to the global chip supply chain – and to all the products those chips help power, from cars to phones to weapon systems. —John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

That data comes courtesy of payroll processor ADP and marks a steep slowdown from July’s upwardly revised 106,000, underscoring how fragile employment momentum has become halfway through 2025. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

Noun

The fresh capital and usage growth underscore surging investor appetite for AI platforms as competition heats up. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025

The underscore following the word ‘new’ means limitless potential for reinventing themselves. —Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underscore

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore

Kids Definition

underscore

verb

un·​der·​score

ˈən-dər-ˌskō(ə)r,

-ˌskȯ(ə)r

1

: to draw a line under : underline

2

: emphasize

underscore noun