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 For most of us, the results emphasize the role muscles play in maintaining our general health. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Our extended winter weather forecasts emphasize temperature and precipitation deviations from averages, or normals. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Federal enforcement of defense contracts Federal officials emphasized the responsibility defense contractors hold in securing sensitive information. — Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 The advice emphasizes the importance of sleep, limited screen time and up-to-date vaccinations, according to a community announcement. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emphasize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasize

Verb

Held over 10 days each October, the event started in 1957 as a way to both highlight the bridges and unite the county’s communities in a tourism effort.

— Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Most videos across the network were titled with the name of a Democratic politician, followed by an all-caps verb highlighting a negative economic story, a recent scandal, or alleged corruption.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

Leeds, their defence reinforced by the arrival of Tarik Muharemovic, look like a tough nut to crack.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Unlike ceramides, which reinforce the moisture barrier, or hyaluronic acid, which mainly hydrates at the surface, urea can moisturize and, at higher strengths, exfoliate dead skin cells.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

The publication grew under her leadership, and encompassed a more diverse range of voices, featuring the likes of Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, and Alice Walker.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
The 2027 edition of Hot Docs, set for April 23-May 2, is sure to feature a lineup of world premieres and acclaimed documentaries from around the globe.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of feature

Verb

The rare meeting underscored Washington's willingness to reopen high-level diplomatic channels with Moscow, even as European allies have intended to keep the nation isolated while the war continues.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
The lasting power truly underscores why a good luxury fragrance is always worth it—three spritzes are enough to last me well over eight hours.

— Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of underscore

Verb

Zelensky has previously stressed said that an acute shortage of air defense interceptors has left Ukraine vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
And getting started, Dunlap stresses, does not require becoming an expert or having a perfect financial plan.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

Brady Corbet’s 2024 film The Brutalist was demonized for using AI to enhance the accents of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, and for using the tech to create architectural drawings and buildings in the style of Brody’s character, László Tóth.

— Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Having your franchise player, a future Hall of Famer, ask out in such a public way is only going to enhance that view.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

Under titles including work, community, motherhood, sports and civic life, the diverse array of artists effectively underlines the essential nature of these experiences.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
In the Dash film and across the Prada show, Cao boldly addresses a critical quandary (one that is underlined by her pairing of romantic and pastoral imagery with posters that once promoted Mao- and Reform-era agricultural mechanization initiatives).

— Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of underline

Verb

Rather than directly monetizing the platform, Nvidia can deepen developer loyalty, make its hardware and software a natural choice for deploying AI models, and keep a strategic asset out of competitors' hands.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
And suppose, additionally, that Haidt is also right, and that—for many kids—smartphones are deepening these problems and adding new ones.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of deepen

Browse Nearby Words

emphasis

emphasize

emphasized

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasize. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of emphasize

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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