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 Market reforms begin to come in China, and the Soviet Union begins to crumble… and Chernobyl obviously really emphasized what was going on there. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Similarly, Africa Finance Corporation’s head emphasized the role African financial markets and pension funds can play in boosting economic growth. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Skeptics emphasize that our universe is the opposite of a snow globe. — Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026 Johnson emphasized her excitement on Ambar Lee and Leah Briars’ Fangirl Nation podcast on Thursday. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emphasize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasize

Verb

Violet, Doralee and Judy highlighted this 46 years ago, and somehow, the issue remains today.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
The most effective adaptation, by his reckoning, is ensuring that workers earn enough to protect themselves beyond the factory gates—a need highlighted by continuing protests over what many say is a woefully inadequate minimum wage.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

Mazzagatti emphasized that decarbonization and energy security must reinforce each other, noting that modular nuclear power can support both legacy industrial plants and the soaring energy appetites of modern computing.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
That will help reinforce the movie as a filmmaking experience, and not as only a Cruise vehicle.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

For if even Fox News stops featuring him seven times each half-hour, what will happen to his confidence?

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
The Artist Loft features artists in residence who teach workshops in various mediums, from collage to watercolor.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of feature

Verb

But hostile rhetoric on both sides underscored the difficulty of any diplomatic efforts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Moreover, the short extension of the trade armistice only underscores its fragility; Beijing is still squeezing flows of rare earths to extract concessions from the US and coerce its allies, including Japan.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of underscore

Verb

Both festivals stressed that refunds will be processed automatically for those who had tickets.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
In public health, the head of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention stressed the need for the continent to manufacture its own vaccines, and to do so in regional groupings.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

The complication shows the moon phases for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with a 135-tooth driving wheel that drastically enhances accuracy, deviating by just one day every 122 years.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026
Macy’s investments and restructuring efforts reflect the increasing role that AI has been playing in the logistics industry, which is expected to further enhance efficiency and help companies survive headwinds.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

Zipping around Tokyo, Kotlyarenko underlines the of-the-moment-ness of his scenario at every turn, but the film is a surprisingly slow ride despite the overload.

— Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
The Kremlin wants the vote to underline public support for the war in Ukraine and give a veneer of legitimacy to it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of underline

Verb

Settler attacks damaged or seized about 160 Palestinian water and sanitation structures this year, deepening shortages that are forcing farmers to abandon fields and threatening local livelihoods.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Finally, deepen expertise in areas such as governance, privacy, cybersecurity, risk or compliance.

— Punit Bhatia, Forbes.com, 25 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of emphasize

verb

Example Sentences

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