emphasize

verb

ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz How to pronounce emphasize (audio)
Definition of emphasizenext
1
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
2
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 Druids are often animists, thereby emphasizing respectful relationships with animals, plants, and physical places. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 Makeup artist Nina Soriano emphasizes the importance of the lower lash line in completing the face’s frame. — Micaela English, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026 As All In Build Continues Looking ahead, Rashad emphasized that legacy is not simply something inherited, but something actively created and passed forward. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 The company emphasized that Quintus was designed to work with the complexity of supply chain data and decision-making. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasize
  1. highlight
  2. reinforce
  3. feature
  4. underscore
  5. stress
  6. enhance
  7. underline
  8. deepen
Verb
  • During those past two seasons, Madrid have failed to win any major title and an increasing number of voices within the club have highlighted the need to sign a player capable of dominating the centre of the park.
    — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Williamson said protection of county waterways is a major pillar of his campaign, highlighting the dangers of chemical sprays meant to control plants that end up damaging the ecosystem.
    — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of highlight
Verb
  • The buffers that have minimized the disruption so far will hold for only so long and must be reinforced if the world is to endure future shocks.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Human-scale FloatForms will require reinforced and even mechanically interlocked latches as well as GPS or visual sensing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of reinforce
Verb
  • Located in downtown Las Cruces, this hotel features 203 guest rooms—some offering city or mountain views—adorned in rustic Spanish Colonial decor and local artwork.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Stewart stayed strong on her go-to outfit formula in a black Dickies jacket, vintage tee, silk shorts, and Converse high-top sneakers, with the bomber jacket also featuring a red pocket accent.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of feature
Verb
  • Amazon's recent decision to shorten server depreciation periods underscores the risk of rapid hardware aging.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The episode underscores how California candidates in both parties are rushing to the bleeding edge of generative AI, from cinematic deepfake-style attack ads to meme-ready political satire.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of underscore
Verb
  • On Sunday, Beshear stressed that McConnell must do more to assure Kentuckians of his ability to carry out the role as senator.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Turkey has stressed that the agreement is defensive and does not identify Iran or any other country as an enemy.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of stress
Verb
  • At West Ham, Fernandes enhanced his reputation as a player who can not only drive his team forward but also play a key role out of possession, defending on the front foot.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Vuong’s photographs are displayed rather conventionally on the gallery walls, but the viewing experience is enhanced by images of his that have been printed on cloth banners that hang in the center of the space.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • The risks Germany faces were underlined last week by the discovery of a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig/Halle airport, a major hub for international freight and for providing support to Ukraine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The finale underlines that break in its final scenes, cross-cutting between the former friends as Alicent makes her first and only appearance in the episode at the exact moment the full tragedy of Rhaenyra’s upper hand becomes apparent.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of underline
Verb
  • As China’s strategic rivalry with the US and its allies deepens, Beijing has broadened its anti-espionage campaign, casting suspicious eyes on foreign ties amid concerns about the leak of state secrets.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Savoring distinguishes itself from gratitude and mindfulness by actively deepening present joys.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepen

Browse Nearby Words

emphasis
emphasize
emphasized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasize. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on emphasize

Nglish: Translation of emphasize for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All