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
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
The harsh dye exposed her dark roots, accentuating the charcoal-colored shadow hollowing out the shape of her eyes.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Silica plus skin-care ingredients like squalane and sodium hyaluronate mean the featherlight powder melts into the skin without accentuating pores and fine lines.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Her look starred a bold red floor-length Louis Vuitton halter gown featuring a high neckline that extended down in a sweeping floor-length train accentuating the open back of her dress.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 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
Brooks plans to showcase two different rosin concentrates and pair them with different snacks aimed at accentuating the terpenes in each marijuana strain.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2025
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
The harsh dye exposed her dark roots, accentuating the charcoal-colored shadow hollowing out the shape of her eyes.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Silica plus skin-care ingredients like squalane and sodium hyaluronate mean the featherlight powder melts into the skin without accentuating pores and fine lines.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Her look starred a bold red floor-length Louis Vuitton halter gown featuring a high neckline that extended down in a sweeping floor-length train accentuating the open back of her dress.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 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
Brooks plans to showcase two different rosin concentrates and pair them with different snacks aimed at accentuating the terpenes in each marijuana strain.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuating
Verb
-
Prosecutorial strategy From the prosecution’s perspective, emphasizing the size of the evidence file serves multiple purposes.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
However, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence downplayed the shift in the latest assessment, emphasizing at the time that the overall conclusions had not changed.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The year Goldberg-Polin and her family arrived in Israel, the country launched Operation Cast Lead, a massive military operation aimed at halting intensifying Hamas mortar, missile and rocket fire terrorizing southern Israeli communities.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The launch comes amid intensifying competition.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And, of course, vice versa, reinforcing the disparity for those in peripheral locations.—
Sarah Maokosy,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Each item is intimately tied to the library space, reinforcing Assouline’s belief that a library is not merely a room but a sanctuary for ideas, aesthetics, and meaningful objects.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In October 2025 Pope Leo called for a ‘true ecological conversion’ and urged citizens to press governments for stronger action and highlighting concrete steps like a Vatican solar program and cross-faith climate work.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The defense then played an 11-minute video highlighting Combs’ charitable work and life as a father of seven.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Street concerts and underground gatherings offer a rare hint of hope for the many young Russians who have grown disheartened by Moscow’s prolonged war and deepening repression.—
Anna Nemtsova,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Duties include building a successful practice of deepening client relationships, along with advising clients on brokerage activity.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s no need to invest in something bigger than your budget allows, so being as upfront as possible will save you from stressing later.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Dodgers returned to stressing out their opponents rather than themselves, trying to make something happen.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Matcha has higher concentrations of theanine and catechins, enhancing its brain-boosting potential.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, with support from Michael Kors, WFP will be able to equip 30 schools with solar panels, upgraded kitchens and improved classrooms, enhancing the learning environments for more than 3,000 students.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After assembling the nearly 10-inch towering figure, featuring poseable legs, wings, and head, kids can activate stud shooters under each wing.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Other potential Marvel projects on the horizon include Doctor Strange 3, a secret project produced by Scarlett Johansson, and another Deadpool-adjacent mutant movie featuring Ryan Reynolds.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accentuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuating. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share