Synonyms of accentuate

accentuate

verb

ik-ˈsen(t)-shə-ˌwāt 

1

as in to emphasize

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on

let's accentuate the saxophones during this piece by having the sax players stand up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emphasize
• highlight
• stress
• feature
• accent
• punctuate
• identify
• illuminate
• point (up)
• focus
• foreground
• promote
• play up
• bear down on
• make much of
• pinpoint
• press
• advertise
• publicize
• spotlight
• boost
• plug
• overplay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tone (down)
• minimize
• play down
• understate
• de-emphasize
• underemphasize
• disparage
• belittle
• discount

2

as in to enhance

to make markedly greater in measure or degree

the foul weather merely accentuated my feelings of depression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enhance
• intensify
• heighten
• deepen
• strengthen
• consolidate
• reinforce
• amplify
• emphasize
• magnify
• boost
• broaden
• sharpen
• step up
• redouble
• expand
• beef (up)
• augment
• maximize
• lengthen
• extend
• enforce
• accelerate
• amp (up)
• enlarge
• hasten
• supplement
• point (up)
• exacerbate
• enliven
• quicken
• stress
• aggravate
• jazz (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• moderate
• tone (down)
• lessen
• abate
• weaken
• subdue
• recede
• alleviate
• subside
• lighten
• ease
• let up (on)
• dwindle
• wane
• taper (off)

3

as in to reinforce

to make more apparent

unfortunately, the new bedspread just accentuates the dinginess of the curtains behind the bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emphasize
• reinforce
• enhance
• deepen
• underline
• underscore
• stress
• strengthen
• bring out
• amplify
• maximize
• augment
• heighten
• supplement
• italicize
• enlarge
• magnify
• boost
• enliven
• beef (up)
• jazz (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• minimize
• de-emphasize
• decrease
• diminish
• tone (down)
• weaken
• lessen
• understate
• subdue

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of accentuate

Parton realized that accentuating her physical silhouette got a reaction, but insisted upon her songwriting as her greatest asset. — Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Mehldau takes special care to retain Smith’s idiosyncratic chord structures, accentuating his sublime harmonic feel. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

It’s designed with a darling sailor-style collar accentuated with white stitching that extends down the front, while the red knit is complemented with ribbing at the hem and sleeves. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2026

The right trees can accentuate the look of your home’s curb appeal or draw in birds and other wildlife with edible berries or safe shelter for nests. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026

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