emphasize

[ em-fuh-sahyz ]

/ ˈɛm fəˌsaɪz /

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.

Nearby words

Also especially British, em·pha·sise.

Origin of emphasize

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

SYNONYMS FOR emphasize

accent, accentuate, highlight.

Related forms

hy·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
He struck his knees sharply, and simultaneously, with both his palms to emphasise his remarks, a frequent habit of the dead man's.
Bye-Ways|Robert Smythe Hichens
He shook Simmy as a dog would have shaken a rat, not in anger but to emphasise his seriousness.
From the Housetops|George Barr McCutcheon
Though she possess both style and beauty, she elects to emphasise style.
Woman as Decoration|Emily Burbank

If only to emphasise its overwhelming importance, one must here insist upon the argument.
Parenthood and Race Culture|Caleb Williams Saleeby
We must not, however, fail to emphasise the dangers that men run.
Training for the Trenches|Leslie Vickers

British Dictionary definitions for emphasise

emphasize

emphasise

/ (ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz) /

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

emphasise

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

emphasize

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