emphasize

especially British, em·pha·sise

[em-fuh-sahyz]

verb (used with object)

emphasized, emphasizing 

1. to give emphasis to; lay stress upon; stress: to emphasize the eyes with mascara.

   to emphasize a point;

   to emphasize the eyes with mascara.

   Synonyms: highlight, accentuate, accent

emphasize

/ ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to give emphasis or prominence to; stress

Other Word Forms

• hyperemphasize verb (used with object)
• misemphasize verb (used with object)
• reemphasize verb (used with object)
• superemphasize verb (used with object)
• unemphasizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphasize¹

First recorded in 1820–30; emphas(is) + -ize

Example Sentences

The composition’s frantic strings and minor chords cleverly emphasize the brilliance of Oliphant’s cartoons depicting the circus of the politically obscene.

From Salon

The BBC has seen the text of the executive order, which says: "The name 'Department of War' conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to 'Department of Defense,' which emphasizes only defensive capabilities."

From BBC

Patton Exploration’s lawyer, David Gross, acknowledged the neighbors’ frustrations but emphasized the importance of keeping the well pumping.

From Salon

Worse than that, he had fallen back into a habit of chasing too much, leading to non-competitive at-bats at a time Roberts had been trying to emphasize the opposite.

From Los Angeles Times

“This report is about emphasizing the uncertainty — things might not be as bad as we think — while ignoring the potential that things could be much worse than we think,” Kopp said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accentuate 
• affirm 
• assert 
• highlight 
• indicate 
• maintain 
• point out 
• reiterate 
• repeat 
• underline 
• underscore