emphasize

[em-fuh-sahyz]

verb (used with object), em·pha·sized, em·pha·siz·ing.

to give emphasis to; lay stress upon; stress: to emphasize a point; to emphasize the eyes with mascara.

Also especially British, em·pha·sise.

Origin of emphasize

First recorded in 1820–30; emphas(is) + -ize

Related formshy·per·em·pha·size, verb (used with object), hy·per·em·pha·sized, hy·per·em·pha·siz·ing.mis·em·pha·size, verb (used with object), mis·em·pha·sized, mis·em·pha·siz·ing.re·em·pha·size, verb (used with object), re·em·pha·sized, re·em·pha·siz·ing.su·per·em·pha·size, verb (used with object), su·per·em·pha·sized, su·per·em·pha·siz·ing.un·em·pha·sized, adjectiveun·em·pha·siz·ing, adjectivewell-em·pha·sized, adjective

Synonyms for emphasize

accent, accentuate, highlight.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for emphasise

Contemporary Examples of emphasise

At the same time, I emphasise that it is best to keep the proverbial ‘soft eyes’ roaming too.
The World’s Hotspots Will Keep the US and World Leaders Focused in 2012
Maajid Nawaz
January 11, 2012

Historical Examples of emphasise

Roland grasped frantically at the opportunity to emphasise his importance.
The Fortune Hunter
Louis Joseph Vance
It is a truth that I wish as strongly as I am able to emphasise.
The Truth About Woman
C. Gasquoine Hartley
Thirdly, we were to emphasise to the men that Turkish morale was on the wane.
With Manchesters in the East
Gerald B. Hurst
The airs and graces they assumed did but emphasise their crudity.
Cleo The Magnificent
Louis Zangwill
No doubt, he was anxious to emphasise the novelty and rarity of his literary adventures.
Grimhild's Vengeance
Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for emphasise

emphasize

emphasise

verb

(tr) to give emphasis or prominence to; stress

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

Word Origin and History for emphasise

chiefly British English spelling of emphasize; for spelling, see -ize. Related: Emphasised; emphasising.

emphasize

1828, from emphasis + -ize. Related: Emphasized; emphasizing.