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 Regardless, these photos clearly show a more aggressive package accentuating the 12Cilindri’s athletic stance. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 29 July 2026 Meteorologists said the sweltering weather was the result of another heat dome — a phenomenon in which atmospheric conditions trap heat, accentuating and prolonging already high temperatures. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 The three challengers offered six speeches that accentuated the positive of their candidate. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 The Euphoria star channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a custom black Valentino gown accentuated by a Bulgari choker, studs, and rings. — Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for accentuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuate

Verb

And Ford’s Bergg took pains to emphasize that its low price wasn’t coming from where customers would notice.

— Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
After the hearing, a relative emphasized that the woman asked to leave was grieving.

— Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Finally, the weather forecast is warm in Philadelphia, with the wind slightly blowing out to right field, further enhancing the chances of Schwarber and Harper hitting home runs.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Hypersonic launch capabilities enhance the new Virginia class further, analysts said, noting that testing of a hypersonic glide vehicle is well underway.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

Football introduces more students and families to the university and reinforces that a local, affordable higher education option with Division I athletics exists right on the South Side.

— Monique Carroll, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Over the years, Vizard has watched visitors come to the farm to admire the birds, reinforcing her belief that the farm should continue to be used as an open space.

— Tran Chau, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

But by excluding open-source models, the administration highlighted a stark divide in the tech industry about what models are the safest and most capable.

— Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass penned a letter to company shareholders hoping to highlight the negative impacts that residents have had to deal with in the wake of the fire.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

History shows that presidents who intensify wars in pursuit of a way out, or to protect their own prestige or America’s reputation, descend a slippery slope.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Rising electricity demand from AI data centers has intensified the search for on-site power systems that can ease pressure on strained grids without locking operators into a single fuel.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

Iranian officials have nevertheless stressed that any agreement would not necessarily mean the waterway would immediately reopen.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Ultimately, Hansberger stresses that the crucial choice is designing AI to maximize human cognition, not replace it.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

While every other Hughes film is grounded in ordinary everyday experiences only slightly heightened for comedic effect, Weird Science stands apart as his big cartoonish swing at a high concept sci-fi comedy.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026
The certification was delayed as Boeing addressed technical issues and heightened regulatory scrutiny following two crashes involving the larger Max 8 that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of heighten

Browse Nearby Words

accents

accentuate

accentuated

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“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuate. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of accentuate

verb

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