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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of accentuate
Her wispy curtain bangs were also accentuated at the front, grazing her temples.
—
Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
This hairstyle is often used to accentuate and frame the face, highlighting one’s natural features.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
Pair it with a belt and matching earrings to complete the look, or opt for a long necklace to accentuate the neckline with an understated style.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
The collapse of the Soviet Union, in 1991, only accentuated their hardships.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accentuate
Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
This hairstyle is often used to accentuate and frame the face, highlighting one’s natural features.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
Pair it with a belt and matching earrings to complete the look, or opt for a long necklace to accentuate the neckline with an understated style.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
The collapse of the Soviet Union, in 1991, only accentuated their hardships.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accentuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuate
Verb
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The Democrats running for governor in Virginia and New Jersey are emphasizing cost-of-living issues and other concerns that continue to be top of mind for voters, and tying those issues to Trump.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Kusano, via video message, emphasized her happiness at dedicating time to research for her next project.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Since 2019, California has partnered with jurisdictions in 28 countries—touching more than a quarter of the world’s population, with a combined GDP in the tens of trillions of dollars—to cut greenhouse gases, enhance climate resilience and develop clean energy.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The stretchy cuffs help lock in heat, while the palm side has grip-enhancing rubber details.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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China’s most powerful Communist leader in decades has built a reputation reinforced by state media during his 12-year rule as a serious and steady hand.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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Completing each task gives your brain a small reward, reinforcing calm and focus when the kitchen gets hectic.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Both Mamdani and Cuomo have highlighted their opposition to the President on the campaign trail.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
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The research team also highlighted that the system passed all tests.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Violence has intensified, humanitarian aid remains blocked, and political prisoners, including my mother, remain behind bars.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Yet even among a number of Christians seeking to raise awareness and intensify efforts to put an end to systematic abuses committed by Boko Haram and other jihadi movements, the prospect of foreign intervention raises serious concerns.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Researchers also stressed that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation lowers the energy barrier, reduces the electrostatic interaction, and enhances the kinetics and structural stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that controllers are becoming increasingly overworked and financially stressed because of the shutdown.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That imprimatur greatly heightens their appeal.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
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Such a move would also fuel distrust between the US and China and heighten their nuclear arms rivalry, analysts said.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Japan, one of the world’s most homogeneous nations, faces deepening labor shortages as its birth rate plummets and its population ages.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Using fractional diffusion theory, the research deepens understanding of transient charging behaviors in complex materials, which is key to designing high-performance components used for advanced engineering electrochemical systems in general.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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