Emphasis — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈem(p)-fə-səs/ em·pha·sis

Meaning & Definition of Emphasis

Emphasis (noun)

  1. force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something
  2. a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables
  3. special consideration of or stress or insistence on something

Emphasis (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a special notice or importance given to something

    "a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports"

    similar: accent, accentuation, stress, underscoring, weight
    related: attention, concentration, focus, spotlight, consequence, import, moment, note, significance, value, worth, precedence, primacy, priority, top billing, consideration, heed, regard
    opposite: de-emphasis
    near: minimization, underemphasis, disregard, indifference

  2. the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression)

    "the emphasis with which my parents issued the warning about smoking left no doubt that they were serious"

    similar: aggressiveness, assertiveness, fierceness, forcefulness, intenseness, intensity, vehemence, vigorousness, violence
    related: potency, power, strength, eloquence, ardency, ardor, fervency, fervidness, fervor, insistence, passion, warmth, stridency, vociferousness, absoluteness, clearness, directness, incision, incisiveness, plainness, straightforwardness, vividness
    opposite: feebleness, mildness, weakness
    near: ambiguity, equivocation, delicacy, lightness, subtlety

Related Entry: De-emphasis (noun)

De-emphasis is a different word from Emphasis. The synonyms below are for de-emphasis, not for emphasis.

  1. as in minimization, soft-pedaling

    similar: minimization, soft-pedaling, censure, condemnation, criticism, denouncement, denunciation, abuse, invective, vituperation, derision, mockery, ridicule, aspersion, backbiting, calumny, defamation, libel, slander, vilification, belittlement, denigration, deprecation, depreciation, derogation, detraction, diminishment, disparagement, put-down
    opposite: aggrandizement, ennoblement, exaltation, glorification, magnification, acclaim, praise, approbation, approval, blessing, commendation, hype, puffery

Related Entry: De-emphasize (verb)

De-emphasize is a different word from Emphasis. The synonyms below are for de-emphasize, not for emphasis.

  1. to reduce in apparent importance

    "you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience"

    similar: downplay, play down, soft-pedal
    related: underplay, understate, bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk
    near: exaggerate, overdo, overdraw, overstate, elaborate, embellish, embroider, magnify, pad, stretch, fudge, hedge, melodramatize, overemphasize, overplay, sensationalize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Emphasis

The most common words with a similar meaning to Emphasis:

accent, accentuation, stress, underscoring, weight, aggressiveness, assertiveness, fierceness, forcefulness, intenseness, intensity, vehemence, vigorousness, violence

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Emphasis

Words with the opposite meaning of Emphasis:

de-emphasis, feebleness, mildness, weakness

Related Words for Emphasis

attention, concentration, focus, spotlight, consequence, import, moment, note, significance, value, worth, precedence, primacy, priority, top billing, consideration, heed, regard, potency, power, strength, eloquence, ardency, ardor, fervency, fervidness, fervor, insistence, passion, warmth

Near Antonyms of Emphasis

minimization, underemphasis, disregard, indifference, ambiguity, equivocation, delicacy, lightness, subtlety

Word Forms of Emphasis

Inflections: emphases

Origin & Etymology of Emphasis

borrowed from Latin, "use of language to imply more than is actually said, implication" (Late Latin also "appearance," Medieval Latin "prominence of expression, stress"), borrowed from Greek émphasis "appearance in a smooth surface, reflection, outward appearance, setting forth, exposition, significance, force of expression," from empha-, stem in noun derivation of emphaínein "to exhibit, display, indicate," emphaínesthai "to be reflected, become visible" (from em- en-:2 + phaínein "to bring to light, cause to appear," and phaínesthai "to become visible, appear") + -sis -sis fantasy:1, phase:1

First known use: 1534

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Emphasis

Words & Phrases Containing Emphasis

reemphasis, lay great stress/emphasis on

Frequently Asked Questions about Emphasis

What does "Emphasis" mean?

"Emphasis" means force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something. As a noun, it is defined as: force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Emphasis"?

Other words for "Emphasis" include accent, accentuation, stress, underscoring, weight, aggressiveness, assertiveness and fierceness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Emphasis" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Emphasis"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Emphasis". Common alternatives include accent, accentuation, stress, underscoring, weight, aggressiveness, assertiveness, fierceness, forcefulness and intenseness.

What is the opposite of "Emphasis"?

Antonyms of "Emphasis" include de-emphasis, feebleness, mildness and weakness. Near antonyms include minimization, underemphasis, disregard and indifference.

How do you use "Emphasis" in a sentence?

Examples of "Emphasis" in a sentence: "a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports"; "the emphasis with which my parents issued the warning about smoking left no doubt that they were serious".

Is "Emphasis" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Emphasis" is a noun.

Is "Emphasis" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Emphasis" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Emphasis"?

"Emphasis" is pronounced /ˈem(p)-fə-səs/ and divided into syllables as em·pha·sis.