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 The preamble reduces the emphasis on previous leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, which is in keeping with Kim Jong Un’s growing cult of personality, the publication added. — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2026 But the impending lockout puts extra emphasis this year on the three days baseball’s operations leaders will spend in Las Vegas this week. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026 The emphasis on traditional craftsmanship extends beyond luxury fashion, too. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026 There may be no bias as prevalent in politics and rhetoric as recency bias, the inclination to give disproportionate emphasis to recent events and statements rather than historical overview and contemplation. — Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 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
  • As part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio, this Westin flagship embodies the brand's focus on wellness within a distinctly Caribbean setting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • While the rest of the world was locked in on the second batch of College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night, all my focus was on the action down in the MACtion.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Periods of paralyzing coldness are punctured by moments of passionate intensity; abject declarations of love and remorse follow savage explosions; then come the coercion, denials, gaslighting, and escalations.
    — Jamie Hood, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Every Cup game counts toward both the standings and the race for a knockout spot, so expect playoff-level intensity.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • Half the group took part in an eight-week lifestyle education course on diet, exercise and stress.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • After waking up confused and barely able to speak, she was told by emergency room doctors to see a therapist for stress, but the problem was much more complex.
    — David Wahlberg, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of stress
Noun
  • Shingleton had four quarterback hits including two sacks as Hart struggled to match the Royals’ aggressiveness at the line of scrimmage.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Tight end Isaiah Likely said Harbaugh’s aggressiveness to add to the roster is welcome considering what the team has shown so far.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Limiting electric boost primarily to these high-power phases reduces the amount of battery capacity—and battery weight—the aircraft must carry.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Blood sugar can rise again, particularly if someone regains weight or their pancreas loses more of its ability to produce insulin.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage still runs through its veins, so its dedication to care, service, and attention to detail remains.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Your bed might be the hardest-working piece of furniture in your home, so why not give it a little extra attention?
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of attention

Browse Nearby Words

emphases
emphasis
emphasize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emphasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasis. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on emphasis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emphasis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of impertinent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All