1
as in emphasizing
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 intensifying
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 reinforcing
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 accentuating
While Project Castor had a Bannenberg & Rowell interior (and was the first in the series to have a new layout accentuating the interior volume), Heesen engaged Luca Dini Design & Architecture to create Project Venus’ interior.
—
Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
The 35-year-old flashed a smile on the red carpet outside the film screening; her lip gloss accentuating the thick layer of black eyeliner on her eyelids.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Armani Beauty’s Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick delivers the pigmentation and staying power of a matte, but swaps a potentially harsh, line-accentuating finish for a soft, almost-balm-like satin.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
The dress’ skirt included a pleating effect, accentuating the vibrant vertical stripes.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Raised in the Highbridge section of the Bronx not far from where DJ Kool Herc threw the 1973 party revered as rap music’s spiritual baby shower, Cardi bookends those songs with experiments in accentuating and contrasting her distinctly New York diction.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Wheatley mixes the constant sounds of gunfire and dynamite extremely loud in the mix, accentuating their impact by having bodies fly across rooms and ricochet off of walls after being blasted with ammunition the length and thickness of a soda can.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
The film hits theaters in a Spanglish dub, where the dialogue is in English for the most part with Spanish words accentuating some of the phrases (as is fairly common in American film and TV featuring Latino characters).
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Skims, which has conquered the shapewear market with its curve-accentuating leggings, bodysuits and tops, first reached out to Nike about working together.
—Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
The 35-year-old flashed a smile on the red carpet outside the film screening; her lip gloss accentuating the thick layer of black eyeliner on her eyelids.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Armani Beauty’s Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick delivers the pigmentation and staying power of a matte, but swaps a potentially harsh, line-accentuating finish for a soft, almost-balm-like satin.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
The dress’ skirt included a pleating effect, accentuating the vibrant vertical stripes.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Raised in the Highbridge section of the Bronx not far from where DJ Kool Herc threw the 1973 party revered as rap music’s spiritual baby shower, Cardi bookends those songs with experiments in accentuating and contrasting her distinctly New York diction.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Wheatley mixes the constant sounds of gunfire and dynamite extremely loud in the mix, accentuating their impact by having bodies fly across rooms and ricochet off of walls after being blasted with ammunition the length and thickness of a soda can.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
The film hits theaters in a Spanglish dub, where the dialogue is in English for the most part with Spanish words accentuating some of the phrases (as is fairly common in American film and TV featuring Latino characters).
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Skims, which has conquered the shapewear market with its curve-accentuating leggings, bodysuits and tops, first reached out to Nike about working together.
—Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuating
Verb
-
If successful, the city shouldn’t have any violations of the irrigation ordnance by this time next year, Harder said, emphasizing the cutoffs would only be for irrigation, not indoor usage.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Despite spending heavily to restore the mansion, Bloomberg chose to live in his Upper East Side townhouse, emphasizing the mansion’s role as a venue for municipal events, meetings with foreign dignitaries, and public tours rather than as a personal residence.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This move is part of an intensifying global competition for seabed resources, with nations like the United States also vying for control.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The state has also advanced in large-scale restoration through innovative mechanisms such as restoration concessions, while intensifying actions to combat deforestation and forest fires.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But critics and former employees who spoke with CNN say the AI company has long known of the dangers of the tool’s tendency toward sycophancy – repeatedly reinforcing and encouraging any kind of input – particularly for users who are distressed or mentally ill.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Under his leadership, Brioni underwent an operational reorganisation and experienced strong growth momentum, reinforcing its position in the luxury menswear landscape, according to its parent company Kering.—
Vogue Business Team,
Vogue,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The show debuted on May 9, 2024, and has been praised for its engaging storyline and strong performances, particularly highlighting the dynamics of class and privilege within a prestigious school setting.—
Sophie Hanson,
StyleCaster,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The end of year signals holiday cheer, festive feasts and of course, the yearly return of Spotify Wrapped — the streaming platform's annual review highlighting users' listening habits for the year.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Midseason blows followed, as rookie Caiya Hanks and newcomer Julie Dufour suffered anterior cruciate ligament tears, only deepening the challenge.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
With the climate crisis only deepening each year, throwing natural cycles and seasons into disarray, Japan is now bracing for future spikes in human-bear encounters each fall and spring.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
All that's missing is stressing over when to put it in the oven.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Oh gosh, why is this stressing me out?—
Julie Jordan,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Several tech players are already constructing private energy plants for their own use as part of their data center buildouts, so there is nothing radical about Democrats insisting on tying approvals for data centers to bearing the cost of enhancing the public grid.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Gemini is also enhancing Lens in Maps.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Fujian is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, featuring electromagnetic catapults that can launch three aircraft types, according to Chinese state media.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The retailer dropped the Rare DNM Edit Holiday Collection, a line of jackets and jeans featuring statement embellishments and details befitting holiday parties and festive events.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accentuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuating. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share