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 authors emphasize that more targeted research is needed to better understand differences seen across population studies.

From Science Daily • Jun. 22, 2026

Now, he said, executives emphasize that they will have enough cash and liquidity to pay a potential tax bill and protect the dividend, which has increased for 64 consecutive years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

“To emphasize that Lestat is untouchable. Hence, building specific costume build shapes and patterns that we adapted throughout the season.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026

Joined by Amy Coney Barrett and Samuel Alito, Kavanaugh wrote separately to emphasize that the miscarriage-of-justice exception the court recognized only applies in narrow waiver cases.

From Slate • Jun. 18, 2026

They disagree on which social factors to emphasize and on how much weight to assign individual Spanish chronicles, but the outline seems not in serious dispute.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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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