underscore
Americanverb (used with object)
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underscores,
present (3rd person singular)
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underscored,
past participle, past
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underscoring
present participle
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to mark with a line or lines underneath; underline, as for emphasis.
-
to stress; emphasize.
The recent tragedy underscores the danger of disregarding safety rules.
noun
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underscores
plural
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a line drawn beneath something written or printed.
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music for a film soundtrack; background for a film or stage production.
verb
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to draw or score a line or mark under
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to stress or reinforce
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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underscoresimple
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underscoressimple
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have underscoredperfect
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has underscoredperfect
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am underscoringprogressive
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are underscoringprogressive
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is underscoringprogressive
-
have been underscoringperfect progressive
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has been underscoringperfect progressive
Past
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underscoredsimple
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had underscoredperfect
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was underscoringprogressive
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were underscoringprogressive
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had been underscoringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of underscore
Explanation
To underscore is to draw special attention to a fact, idea, or situation. When you're involved in a debate, it’s wise to underscore the points that best support your argument. Literally, underscore means “to underline,” or draw a line beneath a word to emphasize it. In common speech, to underscore something is to call attention to it. If a worker sustained an injury on the job, for instance, the event would underscore the need for workplace safety. Underscore is also used to mean "emphasize." During a job interview, you want to underscore any experience that relates to the job you are applying for.
Vocabulary lists containing underscore
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 2
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The New SAT: The Language of the Test
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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.
See Examples For:
Launched in 2019, the Taycan was supposed to underscore the Stuttgart-based group's embarkment on a major shift away from combustion engines.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
These accounts underscore ongoing efforts to improve access for small and mid‑sized importers, pushing back on narratives that the process is purely skewed toward corporate giants.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
It draws heavily on news reports and what has so far been released from the Epstein files, but does underscore numerous hurdles the investigation has faced.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
But they also underscore the need to establish a safe and sound regime for digital assets to protect investors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
Ben Franklin’s autobiography was punched up after his death to underscore his rise from obscurity.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
But they’re having a moment and “Union County” underscores why some work as well as they do.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
The joint defense accord underscores how regional powers are taking a hard look at their security arrangements in the wake of the war in Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The closeness of the race only underscores one of El-Sayed’s challenges going ahead: reuniting a fractured party after a bitter primary campaign.
From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026
"However, this case underscores the importance of vigilance, strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and the proactive steps taken to identify and investigate suspicious activity before it can escalate."
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
His memory underscores some differences in how the children saw their parents, and the strife.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
The allure of the role is great, underscored by the fact there have been just four permanent Fifa presidents since Stanley Rous was elected in 1961.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
Those results have underscored the material's potential for next-generation semiconductor systems.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026
The new head coach underscored that it can be easy for impulse and emotion to take over, but uplifting one another and letting mistakes refine you rather than define you is integral to success.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
The hostility underscored a widening gulf between legacy networks and a growing ecosystem of independent digital outlets that many young Indians increasingly turn to for news.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
This underscored Bush’s esteem for the breadth of Lawrence’s scientific knowledge and his emollient managerial technique.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Messages arrived from around the world, underscoring an impact that extended far beyond Southern California.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
LONDON—Cameras installed on British naval drones sent data to an internet address in China, U.K. officials said, underscoring the vulnerability of military supply chains to Chinese parts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
Double sauce is not necessary, but I like a little indulgence underscoring the practicality of a packable meal.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
Revenue, however, climbed 28 percent to $60.8 billion, beating estimates and underscoring the continued strength of its advertising business.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
But we were reaffirming and underscoring those original concerns, many of which had gone by the wayside.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
