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emphasis

noun

ˈem(p)-fə-səs How to pronounce emphasis (audio)
Definition of emphasisnext
1
as in focus
a special notice or importance given to something a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression) the emphasis with which my parents issued the warning about smoking left no doubt that they were serious

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 emphasis Bill Savage is a professor at Northwestern University and teaches courses on Chicago history, literature and culture, with an emphasis on Algren. — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 Eggplants are abundant and the slight bit of crispness in the air (emphasis on slight) means a warm, cozy meal is welcome — as long as the oven doesn’t have to be on for too long. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Across the office floors, emphasis was placed on functionality. — Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026 The Saints will need to script better openings for their early offensive possessions, with an emphasis on plays that Shough likes and feels most comfortable executing. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emphasis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasis
  1. focus
  2. intensity
  3. stress
  4. aggressiveness
  5. weight
  6. attention
Noun
  • The comments could become a focus of questioning when Hunt appears before the Foreign Relations Committee.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The focus will be on connecting The FQ to brand categories like auto, beauty, technology, financial services and airlines.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • But that drop in intensity quickly veered into carelessness, with the defence failing to assert its composure amid loose passes and hapless communication mix-ups.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Local dimming and backlight zone control help manage brightness independently across different parts of the screen, allowing darker areas to appear deeper while bright highlights stand out with greater intensity.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • On the one hand, oxidative stress acts as a trigger to tell the body to rebuild and develop mitochondria in the cells — improving an athlete’s endurance capacity.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Longevity Eye Cream is formulated with Green Coffee Bean which helps to improve the appearance of puffiness and dark circles while Lingonberry Stem Cells work to fight visible damage from blue light and oxidative stress.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of stress
Noun
  • Badosa’s front-foot aggressiveness and ability to rush Gauff’s forehand have brought her wins in their past two meetings.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The salaries match, Strus is an expiring contract while Niko has four years left and the 3-point shooting and the aggressiveness of Max are way better than Niko’s.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • By combining aluminum’s low weight with a pre-applied coating, the company is targeting a way to make battery components easier to manufacture while meeting durability and insulation requirements.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Bored with his beautiful wife and the weight of his lies, Edward longs for a way out, even as Richard continues to pine for Beatrice.
    — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • The Moon enters Capricorn and your community zone, drawing your attention toward friends, groups, and people who share your interests.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • As consumers use emerging tools like AI to explore different looks and try on silhouettes, this data is an early indication of the looks capturing consumers’ attention throughout the year.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of attention

Browse Nearby Words

emphases
emphasis
emphasize
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Cite this Entry

“Emphasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasis. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on emphasis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emphasis

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