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
Osaki grew up in a multigenerational home with traditional Japanese American grandparents whose emphasis on achievement seeped into all aspects of life.
—
Lynda Lin Grigsby, Parents, 7 Nov. 2025
Several spring 2026 collections put an emphasis on the exit impact of garments, an underappreciated aspect of fashion that returns to the forefront from time to time.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
The president has been receiving some backlash from his core supporters over his emphasis on foreign policy and international dealings rather than his pledged America first promises.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
But Las Vegas took advantage of Joseph's heavy emphasis on nickel formations early on, as running back Ashton Jeanty started to gash Denver on the ground with fewer defenders in the box.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emphasis
Lynda Lin Grigsby, Parents, 7 Nov. 2025
Several spring 2026 collections put an emphasis on the exit impact of garments, an underappreciated aspect of fashion that returns to the forefront from time to time.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
The president has been receiving some backlash from his core supporters over his emphasis on foreign policy and international dealings rather than his pledged America first promises.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
But Las Vegas took advantage of Joseph's heavy emphasis on nickel formations early on, as running back Ashton Jeanty started to gash Denver on the ground with fewer defenders in the box.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emphasis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasis
Noun
-
The main focus of the episode, of course, is following up on the Ken Tucker lead from Steven Droyco.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The Body Book for Older Girls, food, nutrition, exercise, and weight are a major focus from the very first page.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Their weakness is an inability to maintain a consistent intensity throughout an entire game.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The country’s meteorological agency PAGASA upgraded the storm to a super typhoon on its intensity scale, recording maximum wind speeds of 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of 230 kph (143 mph).—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Yet there's been internal stress due to layoffs, return-to-office mandates and controversy surrounding Microsoft's contracts.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For gardeners in warmer areas, fall planting avoids the stress of a hot summer without adequate root systems.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
This can support the aircraft’s weight, allowing a gentle descent with the wings level.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Just nothing, not dictating at the point of attack, no aggressiveness to it at all.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness in the Gleason grading system, which ranges from 6 to 10, with 10 being the most aggressive.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The bill passed in June without media attention, while bombs were dropping on Iran.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
But Vanderbilt, as attention, pressure and fatigue rise on a pursuit no one outside its camp expected, is essentially two teams with two games left in the 2025 regular season.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Emphasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasis. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share