as in emphasis
a special notice or importance given to something
the underscoring we've given the play's local setting will hopefully increase ticket sales
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in emphasizing
to make more apparent
a history of the Old West that underscores the role that pioneer women had in bringing order and stability to the wild frontier
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 underscoring
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
But from the opening moments, set in the cozy cabinet of curiosities shop — cue orchestrator/arranger Matt Brind’s mysterious and twinkling Danny Elfman-esque underscoring — there’s real precision to Luke Sheppard’s production.
—David Benedict, Variety, 30 Nov. 2025
Photovogue, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Tourism projects in Romania, Argentina, Zimbabwe, and beyond are helping fund many large-scale rewilding efforts, underscoring that with proper care—removal of invasive species, reforestation, reintroduction of endemic fauna and flora—the land can heal.
—Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
But international spending remains down by about $1 billion compared with pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the uneven recovery.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The city’s methodology for valuing co-ops and condos is currently under judicial review in pending litigation, underscoring how unsettled these issues remain.
—Martha E. Stark, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Consultancy Greysparks highlighted that more than 81% of private credit assets under management sit at firms that also run private equity funds, underscoring how concentrated the market is among large private capital managers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
The fortunate timing of the scandal’s emergence in April, rather than later summer, exposed how vulnerable the primary system would be if such allegations surfaced after the June primary, underscoring the need for structural reforms.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Chinese tech giant ByteDance’s profit fell more than 70% as the company leaned aggressively into AI, underscoring the financial challenges facing the country’s tech scene amid intensifying domestic competition.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Moments of humor sit alongside lamentation and ritual intensity, underscoring the exhibition’s refusal of a single, fixed reading.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
Sound designer Hunter Moody provides delicate underscoring setting appropriate to moods as needed.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
But from the opening moments, set in the cozy cabinet of curiosities shop — cue orchestrator/arranger Matt Brind’s mysterious and twinkling Danny Elfman-esque underscoring — there’s real precision to Luke Sheppard’s production.
—David Benedict, Variety, 30 Nov. 2025
Verb
This photograph aims to highlight the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, showcasing the beauty of the king penguins in their natural habitat, while also underscoring the importance of preserving these unique underwater forests.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Tourism projects in Romania, Argentina, Zimbabwe, and beyond are helping fund many large-scale rewilding efforts, underscoring that with proper care—removal of invasive species, reforestation, reintroduction of endemic fauna and flora—the land can heal.
—Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
But international spending remains down by about $1 billion compared with pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the uneven recovery.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The city’s methodology for valuing co-ops and condos is currently under judicial review in pending litigation, underscoring how unsettled these issues remain.
—Martha E. Stark, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Consultancy Greysparks highlighted that more than 81% of private credit assets under management sit at firms that also run private equity funds, underscoring how concentrated the market is among large private capital managers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
The fortunate timing of the scandal’s emergence in April, rather than later summer, exposed how vulnerable the primary system would be if such allegations surfaced after the June primary, underscoring the need for structural reforms.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Chinese tech giant ByteDance’s profit fell more than 70% as the company leaned aggressively into AI, underscoring the financial challenges facing the country’s tech scene amid intensifying domestic competition.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Moments of humor sit alongside lamentation and ritual intensity, underscoring the exhibition’s refusal of a single, fixed reading.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underscoring
Noun
-
The nonprofit organization’s emphasis is on mental health awareness.—
Staff Photographer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Jags also have Hunter Long and Quintin Morris on the roster as blocking tight ends, and Boerkircher gives them another body at a position that the Los Angeles Rams placed an emphasis on last season.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The series poignantly addresses the complexities of teenage struggles, particularly through Justin’s undiagnosed ADHD and Keisha’s experience of trauma, emphasizing the importance of unconditional support and the intersection of mental health with race and class in today’s world.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to emphasizing neighbors helping neighbors, the Buy Nothing groups build community through the gift economy.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It was initially made available exclusively on the streaming service Tidal, reinforcing its status as a visual album rather than a traditional rollout.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Smaller, independent businesses often have more flexibility to source locally, and your dollars are more likely to circulate through an entire regional supply chain instead of reinforcing national ones.—
Maryam Ahmed,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underscoring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underscoring. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
