un·der·score
ˈən-dər-ˌskȯr 
underscored; underscoring; underscores
3
: to provide (action on film) with accompanying music
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
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
Kristina Behr, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024
The situation underscores the challenges for interfaith alliances, particularly those among Jewish and Muslim communities, as the war’s casualties and destruction continue to mount.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
The letter's timing on April 4 coincides with the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in an attempt to underscore the historic significance of his death to the struggle for equity and justice, Hunter said.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
For those left trying to get flour and other necessities to the people of Gaza, the attack on the aid workers only underscores the importance of their mission.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The bodycam footage underscores just how much about the events that led up to the raid – including why Cody appeared in close touch with Newell during the searches – remains unknown.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Israeli strikes on an aid convoy run by the charity group World Central Kitchen killed seven of its workers in the Gaza Strip, setting off international outrage and underscoring the risks to humanitarian workers trying to alleviate a looming famine.
—Michael Levenson, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The development underscores that while rifts have emerged between the United States and Israel over the war's conduct, the Biden administration views weapons transfers as off-limits when considering how to influence the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
—John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024
With just six months to go until early voting begins in some states, the Biden-Trump rematch continues to take shape, underscoring contrasts between the two candidates.
—The Editors, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2024
Caroline Brew, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
Howe also collaborated closely with songwriter-producer Blake Mills on string arrangements for some of the songs, and occasionally interpolated the tunes into his underscore.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 2 June 2023
The underscore is haunting, as is Leonhart’s trumpet, throughout.
—Connor Ratliff, SPIN, 20 Feb. 2023
Verb
The study shows this strain in the parent-teacher relationship underscores the importance of parental involvement in a child's education, which significantly impacts their overall social and emotional development.
—Kristina Behr, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024
The situation underscores the challenges for interfaith alliances, particularly those among Jewish and Muslim communities, as the war’s casualties and destruction continue to mount.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
The letter's timing on April 4 coincides with the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in an attempt to underscore the historic significance of his death to the struggle for equity and justice, Hunter said.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
For those left trying to get flour and other necessities to the people of Gaza, the attack on the aid workers only underscores the importance of their mission.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The bodycam footage underscores just how much about the events that led up to the raid – including why Cody appeared in close touch with Newell during the searches – remains unknown.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Israeli strikes on an aid convoy run by the charity group World Central Kitchen killed seven of its workers in the Gaza Strip, setting off international outrage and underscoring the risks to humanitarian workers trying to alleviate a looming famine.
—Michael Levenson, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The development underscores that while rifts have emerged between the United States and Israel over the war's conduct, the Biden administration views weapons transfers as off-limits when considering how to influence the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
—John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024
With just six months to go until early voting begins in some states, the Biden-Trump rematch continues to take shape, underscoring contrasts between the two candidates.
—The Editors, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2024
Noun
Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy created the theme song and helmed the composition of the score, underscore and music cues.
—Caroline Brew, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
Howe also collaborated closely with songwriter-producer Blake Mills on string arrangements for some of the songs, and occasionally interpolated the tunes into his underscore.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 2 June 2023
The underscore is haunting, as is Leonhart’s trumpet, throughout.
—Connor Ratliff, SPIN, 20 Feb. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underscore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near underscore
Cite this Entry
“Underscore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underscore. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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