Synonyms of accentuating

accentuating

verb

present participle of accentuate

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

• emphasizing
• highlighting
• stressing
• featuring
• accenting
• identifying
• punctuating
• foregrounding
• illuminating
• pointing (up)
• focusing
• promoting
• pressing
• playing up
• bearing down on
• pinpointing
• making much of
• spotlighting
• publicizing
• advertising
• boosting
• plugging
• overplaying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimizing
• understating
• playing down
• de-emphasizing
• toning (down)
• discounting
• disparaging
• belittling
• underemphasizing

2

as in intensifying

to make markedly greater in measure or degree

the foul weather merely accentuated my feelings of depression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intensifying
• deepening
• enhancing
• heightening
• strengthening
• consolidating
• reinforcing
• amplifying
• boosting
• broadening
• emphasizing
• magnifying
• expanding
• sharpening
• stepping up
• augmenting
• lengthening
• extending
• redoubling
• maximizing
• enforcing
• enlarging
• accelerating
• supplementing
• stressing
• beefing (up)
• amping (up)
• hastening
• quickening
• exacerbating
• pointing (up)
• aggravating
• enlivening
• restrengthening
• jazzing (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reducing
• decreasing
• diminishing
• moderating
• weakening
• lessening
• abating
• subduing
• receding
• waning
• dwindling
• subsiding
• alleviating
• tapering (off)
• easing
• lightening
• toning (down)
• letting up (on)

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

• emphasizing
• reinforcing
• deepening
• enhancing
• stressing
• underscoring
• underlining
• strengthening
• amplifying
• bringing out
• maximizing
• italicizing
• augmenting
• heightening
• supplementing
• enlarging
• boosting
• magnifying
• enlivening
• beefing (up)
• jazzing (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reducing
• minimizing
• decreasing
• diminishing
• de-emphasizing
• weakening
• lessening
• understating
• subduing
• toning (down)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of accentuating

Tika Sumpter's extremely precise blunt bob hits right at the jawline, accentuating her naturally high cheekbones. —Elise Tabin, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026

Not only does this get rid of the trendy, retail look and feel, but honestly, vintage pieces are sometimes made with higher quality and do a better job of accentuating your space. —Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 13 Jan. 2026

Twenty-two-year-old Angelina Jolie was setting the trends in 1998, accentuating her elegant dress with a short cut and dark makeup. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026

This all-inclusive resort features gorgeous views of the Mississippi River, plush bedding accentuating antique furniture, and gourmet meals prepared by Chef Caterina. —Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025

Meanwhile, Trump’s presence in the White House is accentuating another big threat to the economy, which comes from financial fragility. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

And somehow, the various patchwork prosthetics end up accentuating the Australian actor's leading-man magnetism. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025

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