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 What issues did Keisha Lance Bottoms emphasize in her campaign for Georgia governor? — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026 The line would emphasize memory bandwidth, which matters for fast, efficient AI inference. — ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026 These moonshot projects emphasize nonlinear, long-term scientific advancement, often without a specific cure or even a tangible goal in mind. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026 This is a war film in style and substance, emphasizing the mental exhaustion of a country that cannot handle any more carnage. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emphasize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasize

Verb

The Government Accountability Office has highlighted these challenges as the Air Force works toward replacing its aging ICBM fleet.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Bhartia highlighted that foreign investors put in about 570 billion rupees ($6 billion) into Indian equities in September of 2024, and a month later pulled out 940 billion rupees to chase cheaper Chinese stocks.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

The formula is acidic and built around citric acid, which helps reinforce the bonds color services weaken, and leaves hair smoother and easier to manage.

— Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
Cook was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and continued her campaign through treatment, arguing her experience would reinforce her focus on affordable care access.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

Two races featured candidates affiliated with the local chapter of the conservative organization Moms for Liberty, both of whom trailed their opponents by wide margins in the initial returns.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Eco effort Each room has a glass carafe instead of plastic water bottles and there are filtered water stations on each floor as part of the essentials closets, which feature amenities like towels or sanitary products available to be taken as needed.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of feature

Verb

That the goal is no longer realistic underscores how difficult it’s been for the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which are released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal are burned, leading to climate change.

— Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
This, too, can degrade the structural integrity of a concrete building, experts say, and underscores inconsistencies in the building techniques used.

— Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of underscore

Verb

Vatican officials told reporters that Pope Leo will have a medical team available to him for the trip but stressed that no special measures are being taken.

— Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
This test measures the system's video-editing capabilities, which heavily stress both the CPU and GPU.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

Their effectiveness is enhanced when integrated with other counter-UAS technologies and established command-and-control arrangements.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
This can be enhanced by viewing a picture, video, or recording of the other person or using virtual reality technology to powerfully see their perspective.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

The restoration efforts, including broadcasts from the Nuxalk Radio station, also underline the resilience of the Indigenous community in the face of challenges from climate change and colonialization.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
Simhadri underlines that his character, Grover, has also experienced conflict between the real and mythological worlds.

— John Bleasdale, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of underline

Verb

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — who was visiting in a bid to deepen trade ties — were both in attendance.

— Ian King, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
Hedge funds and other investors who borrow to make bigger bets may have to sell more stocks to cover losses and meet demands for cash, which can deepen a sell-off.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of emphasize

verb

Example Sentences

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