ACCENTUATE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

accentuate

verb

ik-ˈsen(t)-shə-ˌwāt

Definition of accentuate

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to enhance

to make markedly greater in measure or degree the foul weather merely accentuated my feelings of depression

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 accentuate The audio was then used to accentuate tense scenes featuring astronauts Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood). — Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 In the guest rooms, a floor-to-celing window looks out to an expansive view of Tokyo’s skyline, filtering in lots of sunlight and accentuating the modern, unfussy interiors. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026 Instead of a uniform application, the stones were placed randomly, including a cluster on her middle finger to accentuate her finger-spanning ring. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026 Blunt Shag Full bangs rest below the eyebrows to accentuate facial features. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accentuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuate

Verb

In Philadelphia, police emphasized that the false submission did not compromise department systems or interfere with homicide investigations.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Bajaria emphasizes that the focus is on developing regional and language-specific hits and to seed franchises that keep subscribers engaged.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

That decade saw other international debuts, including Sweden, Hong Kong, Australia, France and Japan — places that would enhance the awareness and international visibility of the brand — all by 1968.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
There could be uses in agriculture as well, for selectively enhancing edible parts of plants, Theriot said.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

The experience reinforced her belief that Vancouver has plenty of animation talent, but still needs more infrastructure for independent creators.

— Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Its amino-acid complex helps smooth and strengthen strands from the inside out, while amaranth extract reinforces fragile hair and baobab extract helps improve elasticity and bounce.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

With respect to the state’s cancer crisis, Hinson defended her record by highlighting her work during her three terms in Congress to boost cancer research funding for the National Institutes of Health.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
Additionally, a Financial Times report highlighted growing market concerns that corporations with weaker balance sheets could face immediate debt default pressures.

— , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

Moscow and Kyiv have intensified their aerial assaults as progress along the 750-mile front line has largely ground to a halt.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Another major challenge is intensifying domestic competition and labor shortages as Japan’s birth rate declines and its population ages, Nagai said.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

Despite the encouraging news, scientists stress that caution remains essential as the island’s fragile ecosystem faces serious environmental threats.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
The collaboration between Video Mercury Films, FlixOlé and ECAM reflects their common goal of preserving and raising the profile of Spanish films of great historical value that do not have digital copies available for distribution, López stresses.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

Interest is heightened when royal stories cover Princess Diana, who was one of the most famous women in the world, with people fascinated by her life.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Whimsical, feminine interiors wrapped in custom murals by English artist and designer Luke Edward Hall heighten the sense of theatricality, as does the build-your-own sundae trolley.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of heighten

Verb

What began as a rebellion against broken classrooms has become a test of whether France can reconcile its costly promises with its financial reality before the divisions consuming its schools deepen further.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
His lore is also deepened, the kills get more intense, all good stuff.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepen

Browse Nearby Words

accents

accentuate

accentuated

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Style

“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuate. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of accentuate

verb

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