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
The ceremony’s focus on Berlanti’s contributions to the YA space was a fitting emphasis for the Summit, which comes in the wake of the Center for Scholars and Storytellers’ annual Teens and Screens report.
—
Andrew McGowan, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
That said, many plyometric exercises—like jumping lunges, pop squats, and tuck jumps—place an extra emphasis on your core and lower half.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
With all the emphasis of community mental health (particularly that of teen girls) in the aftermath of the fires, Colvert is learning about herself in the process too.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Slaughter, one of the SEC’s most versatile scorers, said Harper’s emphasis on player development has already made an impact.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emphasis
Andrew McGowan, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
That said, many plyometric exercises—like jumping lunges, pop squats, and tuck jumps—place an extra emphasis on your core and lower half.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
With all the emphasis of community mental health (particularly that of teen girls) in the aftermath of the fires, Colvert is learning about herself in the process too.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Slaughter, one of the SEC’s most versatile scorers, said Harper’s emphasis on player development has already made an impact.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emphasis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasis
Noun
-
But a lot of focus on this week and clearly the White House was a bit concerned about this.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Please check back for updates Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.—
Alexandra Koch , Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That’s why Mazzulla upped the intensity at training camp.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
There’s that kind of intensity and fuel that has fanned the fire of Mirador in someways that’s really elevated the band and the performances.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Traditionally, one of the key justifications for teamwork has been its psychological benefits—the energy that comes from collaboration, the reduced stress of shared responsibility, the excitement of building on each other’s ideas.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Where to Go Your mini-moon should be intimate, indulgent, and stress-free—luxe places that feel remote but are easy to get to.—
Jim Augerinos,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Besides hunger, other factors such as stress, sleep, medications, pregnancy, weight changes, and health conditions can change appetite.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Shoes in this collection feature the brand’s proprietary ProjectPlush support system, which is basically just a footbed that contours to the natural curvature of the feet, helping to distribute weight evenly and alleviate pressure points that could lead to soreness, calluses, and blisters.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 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
-
Less than 48 hours later, ICE shut down the block, barreling down Broadway against one-way traffic in armored vehicles, triggering national media attention and immediate protests.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
As kobolds go, Heinzelmann was more harmless than most, going about his business protecting the castle from giants and dwarves and keeping the staff updated on faerie gossip, as well as protecting the chambermaids from unwelcome attentions from visiting noblemen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Emphasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share