emphatic

adjective

em·​phat·​ic im-ˈfa-tik 

em-

1

: uttered with or marked by emphasis

an emphatic refusal

2

: tending to express oneself in forceful speech or to take decisive action

3

: attracting special attention

4

: constituting or belonging to a set of tense forms in English consisting of the auxiliary do followed by an infinitive without to that are used to facilitate rhetorical inversion or to emphasize something

emphatically

im-ˈfa-ti-k(ə-)lē 

em-

adverb

Synonyms

• aggressive
• assertive
• dynamic
• energetic
• forceful
• full-blooded
• muscular
• resounding
• strenuous
• vehement
• vigorous
• violent

Examples of emphatic in a Sentence

They were emphatic about their political differences.

the governor issued an emphatic denial of all charges

Recent Examples on the Web

But the sky nevertheless seemed well stocked with the atmospheric ingredients for rain, with dark and brooding clouds, and the emphatic breeziness that often accompanies a spring storm. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

The post’s comment section sees many offering emphatic support. —Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Russia has suggested the attackers are linked to Ukraine, despite emphatic denials from Ukrainian officials that Kyiv had anything to do with the attack. —USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024

Saturday was a more emphatic 13-3 thanks to 3 of 5 shooting behind the arc, one by Butler on an assist from LeDee and two by LeDee when the Bulldogs sagged off him into the paint. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024

The Bohemian laid down an emphatic final score of 911-373 over No. 8 Lagon (Dead Low). —The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024

If good bogeys exist then this was one of them, and Clark certainly thought so – celebrating a job well done in damage limitation with an emphatic fist pump. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024

Washington, who finished with a game-high 18 points, closed that stretch with an emphatic dunk before the break, giving the Cavaliers’ momentum heading into the half. —Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024

Though brilliant shots have been a hallmark of the 15-time major champion’s career since, that putt, his emphatic celebration and Koch’s call remain one of Woods’ defining moments. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Late Latin; French emphatique "forcefully expressive," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin emphaticus, borrowed from Greek emphatikós "expressive, indicative," from empha-, stem in noun derivation of emphaínein "to exhibit, display, indicate" + -t-, verbal adjective formative + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at emphasis

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

emphatic

adjective

em·​phat·​ic im-ˈfat-ik 

em-

1

: uttered with or marked by emphasis

2

: tending to express oneself in forceful speech or action

3

: attracting special attention

an emphatic design

emphatically

-ˈfat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb