EMPHASIZE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

emphasize

verb

ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz

Definition of emphasize

as in to highlight

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on supermarket tabloids that emphasize sensational news stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reinforce

to make more apparent that huge belt buckle only emphasizes his big gut

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 emphasize The waist, for example, was cinched particularly tightly and emphasized in the 1940s and ’50s. — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026 The American Hiking Society’s hiking resources emphasize matching the route to your current fitness and building up to bigger objectives with shorter practice hikes. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026 Build your business model beyond only referrals Takicha Roundtree emphasized the need for small business owners to expand their work beyond people who may know them. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 Still, officials emphasized that the CSU would have to be fiscally disciplined given that the state will have a new governor in January and the state’s budget outlook is uncertain. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for emphasize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasize

Verb

These features, offering rewrite, proofread, and summarize options, appear as a contextual pop-up when text is highlighted.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Instead, most Republicans stood firm in a critical hearing with an administration waging a hugely unpopular war, while Democrats highlighted the gap between its premature victory laps and the current stalemate.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

The film’s massive ensemble cast also features Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliott Page, Himesh Patel, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Corey Hawkins, Mia Goth, James Remar and the voice of Bill Irwin.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The second floor will feature a gallery to showcase the history of race relations in North Texas, honoring Rouse's memory with a permanent gallery, interpretive exhibitions, and educational programming.

— Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

Definition of feature

Verb

This summer's record cyclosporiasis outbreak, slowly traced over two months to Taco Bell lettuce via patient interviews, underscores the need for faster methods.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, usually an avenue for around 20% of the world's LNG trade, have underscored the importance of the project and highlighted the vulnerability of global energy supplies.

— Emma Graham, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Definition of underscore

Verb

Wallace stressed that faith does not eliminate the need for strategy and that vision must be accompanied by disciplined work.

— Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
In addition, stressed ecosystems, such as industrial ports, are highly vulnerable to bioinvasion because disturbances allow for fast-growing opportunistic species to establish themselves, the paper states.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

For Greece, the investment is part of a broader effort to modernize its armed forces and enhance deterrence capabilities in a region marked by persistent security concerns.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
While visual effects can enhance martial arts on screen, Wu argues that authentic filmmaking still depends on performance.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 25 July 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

Even the relentless pursuit of Joao Felix across at least three windows underlines his willingness to sign players who have question marks against them.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Longines, Tissot and Hamilton all booked double‑digit growth, underlining demand for entry‑level and mid‑range Swiss watches.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Definition of underline

Verb

Cartels, smaller mafias and street gangs hold sway in town halls and state governments around the country and have deepened their role in the economy.

— Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
The cocktail is fresh juicy summer strawberries, paired with vodka, gin, lemon, coriander, and two liqueurs, Licor 43, for a deepening vanilla element, and Aperol, for rhubarb and orange and a touch of texture.

— Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 25 July 2026

Definition of deepen

Browse Nearby Words

emphasis

emphasize

emphasized

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasize. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of emphasize

verb

Example Sentences

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