emphasize

[em-fuh-sahyz] / ˈɛm fəˌsaɪz /

VERB

stress, give priority to

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

accent articulate charge dramatize enlarge enunciate headline hit impress italicize mark pinpoint press pronounce punctuate spotlight weight

WEAK

bear down dwell on insist on labor the point limelight make a point make clear make emphatic make much of play up point up put accent on rub in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny

STRONG

lose mumble

WEAK

depreciate forget ignore play down understate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Employers increasingly emphasize demonstrated competencies, project-based experience and practical problem-solving abilities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

"I can't emphasize enough how awful the process is to not know what's coming next," she said.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

A perfect score indicates no errors on the screening instrument, but clinicians emphasize that the result is interpreted in context and is not considered evidence of exceptional intelligence.

From Salon • May 31, 2026

Maras wanted the film to begin with this moment to emphasize the headspace of the Allied leaders.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

I’d like to emphasize that this idea that time and space should be finite “without boundary” is just a proposal: it cannot be deduced from some other principle.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Vocabulary lists containing emphasize

The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2

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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1

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Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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