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
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Recent Examples of accentuating
Suspecting that the bumbling local policeman, Officer Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun, accentuating the goofiness), is wrong in his conclusion that George simply died of a heart attack, Lily rallies her fellow sheep to help solve the murder.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Oliver Glasner was accentuating the positives after a 0-0 draw that did little to lift Palace’s hopes of a top-half finish.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
His face, always stationed somewhere halfway to hangdog, seems to gain 20 new creases carved deep into his skin, accentuating his mournful eyes and his excruciated, heartbroken smile.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Despite their over-the-top reputations, their contributions are less about adding a boisterous EDM drop and more about accentuating Toki’s strengths.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Macpherson let her natural beauty shine with minimal glam, accentuating her features with a soft peach flush on her cheekbones and lips.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
The new hue is designed to evolve beautifully with changing light, further accentuating the watchmaker’s signature grain d’orge (barleycorn) motif.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
By accentuating its own high altitude, the second-year soccer club plans to broaden its goal-scoring menu.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
As for her hair, bright blond streaks blended with her brown base, accentuating her brows.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Oliver Glasner was accentuating the positives after a 0-0 draw that did little to lift Palace’s hopes of a top-half finish.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
His face, always stationed somewhere halfway to hangdog, seems to gain 20 new creases carved deep into his skin, accentuating his mournful eyes and his excruciated, heartbroken smile.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Despite their over-the-top reputations, their contributions are less about adding a boisterous EDM drop and more about accentuating Toki’s strengths.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Macpherson let her natural beauty shine with minimal glam, accentuating her features with a soft peach flush on her cheekbones and lips.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
The new hue is designed to evolve beautifully with changing light, further accentuating the watchmaker’s signature grain d’orge (barleycorn) motif.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
By accentuating its own high altitude, the second-year soccer club plans to broaden its goal-scoring menu.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
As for her hair, bright blond streaks blended with her brown base, accentuating her brows.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuating
Verb
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Arisco says that making Maxine American is another way the play is more contemporary, emphasizing a connection between the United States and England.—
Amy Reyes
May 14,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
Weiner compared it to other iconic wedding in history like Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding, emphasizing the importance of capturing the romance and secrecy of the ceremony.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Behind the scenes, though, a scramble has been intensifying to hold together a fragile coalition politically and tenuous competition financially.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
But i-Ready is facing mounting backlash, and the revolt is intensifying as parents question how much time children spend on screens at school.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
In addiction treatment, encouraging emotional attachment to an algorithm risks reinforcing the very patterns of avoidance and substitution that sustain addiction.—
Steve D. Klein,
STAT,
14 May 2026
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Measures seen as defensive in Tokyo or Manila are invariably interpreted in Beijing as offensive—reinforcing, rather than easing, cycles of suspicion.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Given out for free in streetside orange boxes and in stacks at cafés, The L was stylish and well-informed, highlighting locally famous names and haunts, and establishing a sense of shared community for the corridor.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
And people shouldn’t bash him for highlighting a California culinary institution that’s one of the better legacy fast food chains out there, even though the Barstow Taco is, well, whatever.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Tensions around this trade are deepening – playing out against a backdrop in which Beijing seeks stability in its relationship with the US, but also holds close economic and diplomatic ties with Iran.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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While one-person shows are often built to showcase an actor’s shape-shifting skills, Lowe’s script, Meltzer’s direction and Rosenberg’s performance use the many supporting characters as a means of deepening Moses’ story.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Berger also warned against attempts by Israelis to deceive foreign agents, stressing that any contact is a serious offense.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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Spain’s head of emergency services sought to assauge these fears by stressing all the individuals onboard are currently asymptomatic.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Venturella spent time in Gary in 2016 wooing the city with cash infusions for its public safety agencies, workforce development and construction assistance for enhancing Airport Road.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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The ceiling is also covered with fabric, adding more opulence and enhancing live acoustics for performances in the entertainment space.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Trump’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, began at the Great Hall of the People moments after a welcome ceremony that seemed to impress the president, featuring a Chinese military honor guard and a greeting from excited schoolchildren.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Read Variety‘s cover story about the long road to Season 50 — featuring interviews with players and producers from the past and present — here.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accentuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuating. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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