accentuate

American

[ak-sen-choo-eyt] / ækˈsɛn tʃuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

accentuated, accentuating

to give emphasis or prominence to.
to place the stress or emphasis on (a particular syllable or word) when pronouncing it or showing its pronunciation.

accentuate British

/ ækˈsɛntʃʊˌeɪt /

verb

(tr) to stress or emphasize

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

accentuation noun
overaccentuate verb (used with object)
reaccentuate verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of accentuate

First recorded in 1725–35; from Medieval Latin accentuātus intoned (past participle of accentuāre ); accent, -ate ¹

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.

Nevertheless, “Bug” is ingeniously structured to stoke suspense, and Mr. Cromer’s impeccable production accentuates the dexterous manner by which Mr. Letts makes plausible its harrowing climax.

From The Wall Street Journal

But there are plenty of positives to accentuate as the calendar turns.

From Barron's

The pieces designed by Hartnell, often with a fitted waist and full skirt, "accentuated her femininity, rather than attempting to mask or hide it", she adds.

From BBC

"It's just accentuated at this time of year," he says.

From BBC

The importance of spin will likely be accentuated by the extreme temperatures forecast in Adelaide - as high as 39C for Thursday's second day.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023