accentuate

[ak-sen-choo-eyt]

verb (used with object)

accentuated, accentuating 

1. to give emphasis or prominence to.

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

accentuate

/ ækˈsɛntʃʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to stress or emphasize

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of accentuate¹

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

Example Sentences

It’s also among a handful of tunes one could imagine breaking through for another artist, had it been fleshed out with production that accentuates its dynamic shifts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I would expect the chancellor to accentuate those positives.

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But those victories, like the shutdown fight, have accentuated strategic tensions between the pragmatic and progressive, or left-wing, factions of the party.

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Their jackalling threat would only be accentuated in the wide, open spaces.

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Jelly bean flavors include green apple, blue raspberry, lemon, tangerine, and cranberry — “which each deliver just enough fruity sweetness to accentuate their accompanying jolt of sour,” per TJ’s.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• emphasize 
• highlight 
• point up 
• underline 
• underscore