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.

The researchers emphasize that the results are promising but have not yet been tested for effectiveness in humans.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

It was important to Maras to emphasize how he stood up to power.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

The researchers emphasize that the study does not predict a sudden collapse of civilization.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

But there can be tremendous value in piecing together the difficult truth, and I’ve rarely seen two films so equipped to emphasize the importance in doing just that.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

Even granted the vagaries of spelling in the seventeenth century, why should Newton choose to emphasize this word?

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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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