as in to emphasize
to indicate the importance of by giving prominent display the dean's speech underlined some of the impressive accomplishments racked up by members of the graduation class

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underline Tyler Herro, befitting his surname, scored 38 points in a performance that underlined his elevation this season to all-star caliber. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025 With Jim Crow, an imperfect church, economic despair, and the Klan looming, the film underlines again and again the essentiality of love—not as an antidote, but as an alternative, an entirely separate mode of experiencing the world. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2025 Such violent fluctuations in (literal) fortunes underline the juggling act the club now have to oversee across PSR cycles. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025 The plotline’s matter-of-fact profanity at once punctured any sense of simplistic morality and underlined that world events always coexist with everyday indignities. Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for underline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underline
Verb
  • Sheridan emphasizes that businesses should openly discuss costs and pricing on their websites.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • The company emphasizes quality control improvements after past recalls.
    Olivia Evans, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Acknowledgement: Recognizing people’s contributions, even with a simple thank-you, reinforces a sense of value and belonging.
    Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Will Campbell reinforce a rotation of edge rushers that lost Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham in the offseason?
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Underline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underline. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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