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

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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 idea that being more macho will fix young men's problems is an underlying message of the manosphere, which puts an emphasis on hypermasculinity, Levant explained. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 Early in the genre’s history, long before the advent of streaming and more passive modes of engaging with music, there was still an emphasis on sounds that got people moving. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 The emphasis on respecting migrant workers is, to me, one of the most consequential changes. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The active stunt puts the emphasis heavily on the coordinator part of Talbot’s title. — Megan Vick, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 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
  • Moving away from a retrospective punishment mechanism appealed to Portsmouth too, as did the shift to a focus on liquidity, something which meshes with the aims of the independent football regulator, which recently came into operation in England.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In the last few years, Penn State’s singular focus – to win a national championship – clouded everything else.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Taiwan has stepped up the intensity of the Han Kuang drills, incorporating reservists and more civilians into the exercises with a focus on real-world scenarios.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The squad have been put through their paces in high-intensity sessions, sometimes twice a day, to build the fitness levels required to carry out the Spaniard’s vision.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • Kash says they are packed with antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids to neutralize free radicals that cause stress and inflammation and help with boosting your immune system overall.
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The company conducts saliva testing for professional sports teams, providing analysis on dozens of biomarkers that touch immunology, inflammation, sleep, hydration, psychological stress and more.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of stress
Noun
  • Video from the Virginia incident, which shows an agent with a gun, has reignited conversations about the aggressiveness of ICE enforcement.
    — Juan Benn Jr, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • She’s learned how to channel her competitiveness and aggressiveness in a much better way, a more productive way.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • The leading open-weight AI models are closing the gap on the frontier in cyber capabilities, an analysis found.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The shop retained and restored the frame, 3D scanned it, and crafted a specialty battery to fit, keeping weight and balance in mind.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • Temperature control requires some attention, as the trailers can heat up quickly in direct sunlight and cool dramatically after dark.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Bernard gets more of the attention; Weru, a native of Kenya, was an international rugby player who is now learning football.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on emphasis

Nglish: Translation of emphasis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emphasis

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