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.

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

The researchers emphasize that the impacts of this single pesticide were noted across broad areas of the brain.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

Advertisers will not have full control over the final copy or imagery, but they can use a tool called AI Brief to emphasize or remove certain phrases.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Under the new leadership of CEO Ravi Ahuja, Sony Pictures Entertainment will emphasize franchises and next-gen content.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

They were so minimal they only cast shadows—they seemed to emphasize the darkness, rather than fighting it.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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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