Emphasize — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz/ em·pha·size

Meaning & Definition of Emphasize

Emphasize (verb)

  1. to place emphasis on, stress

Emphasize (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to indicate the importance of by centering attention on

    "supermarket tabloids that emphasize sensational news stories"

    similar: accent, accentuate, feature, foreground, highlight, illuminate, play up, point (up), press, punctuate, stress, bear down on, make much of
    related: focus, identify, pinpoint, spotlight, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize, overplay
    opposite: de-emphasize, play down
    near: tone (down), underemphasize, understate, belittle, discount, disparage, minimize

  2. to make more apparent

    "that huge belt buckle only emphasizes his big gut"

    similar: accentuate, bring out, italicize, stress, underline, underscore
    related: amplify, beef (up), boost, reinforce, strengthen, augment, deepen, enhance, enlarge, heighten, magnify, maximize, supplement, enliven, jazz (up)
    opposite: de-emphasize
    near: decrease, diminish, lessen, minimize, reduce, subdue, tone (down), understate, weaken

Related Entry: De-emphasize (verb)

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

  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 Emphasize

The most common words with a similar meaning to Emphasize:

accent, accentuate, feature, foreground, highlight, illuminate, play up, point (up), press, punctuate, stress, bring out, italicize, underline, underscore, bear down on, make much of

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Emphasize

Words with the opposite meaning of Emphasize:

de-emphasize, play down

Related Words for Emphasize

focus, identify, pinpoint, spotlight, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize, overplay, amplify, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, augment, deepen, enhance, enlarge, heighten, magnify, maximize, supplement, enliven, jazz (up)

Near Antonyms of Emphasize

tone (down), underemphasize, understate, belittle, discount, disparage, minimize, decrease, diminish, lessen, reduce, subdue, weaken

Word Forms of Emphasize

Inflections: emphasized, emphasizing

Origin & Etymology of Emphasize

emphas(is) + -ize

First known use: 1793

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Emphasize

Words & Phrases Containing Emphasize

de-emphasize, reemphasize

Frequently Asked Questions about Emphasize

What does "Emphasize" mean?

"Emphasize" means to place emphasis on, stress. As a verb, it is defined as: to place emphasis on, stress. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Emphasize"?

Other words for "Emphasize" include accent, accentuate, feature, foreground, highlight, illuminate, play up and point (up). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Emphasize" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Emphasize"?

There are 41 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Emphasize". Common alternatives include accent, accentuate, feature, foreground, highlight, illuminate, play up, point (up), press and punctuate.

What is the opposite of "Emphasize"?

Antonyms of "Emphasize" include de-emphasize and play down. Near antonyms include tone (down), underemphasize, understate and belittle.

How do you use "Emphasize" in a sentence?

Examples of "Emphasize" in a sentence: "supermarket tabloids that emphasize sensational news stories"; "that huge belt buckle only emphasizes his big gut".

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

"Emphasize" is a verb.

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

As a B2-level word, "Emphasize" 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+.

How do you pronounce "Emphasize"?

"Emphasize" is pronounced /ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz/ and divided into syllables as em·pha·size.