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emphasize

[em-fuh-sahyz]
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verb (used with object), em·pha·sized, em·pha·siz·ing.
  1. to give emphasis to; lay stress upon; stress: to emphasize a point; to emphasize the eyes with mascara.
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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

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

Examples from the Web for emphasising

Historical Examples

  • "I'm going to trust you," Lady Enid went on, emphasising the two pronouns.

    The Prophet of Berkeley Square

    Robert Hichens

  • He gave forth the last cry with all his might, emphasising the “chi—or!”

    The Crystal Hunters

    George Manville Fenn

  • “We will take him across to France first,” said Stratton, emphasising the first word.

    Witness to the Deed

    George Manville Fenn

  • He found a strange pleasure in emphasising his opposition to her.

    Demos

    George Gissing

  • A rat ran across the concrete, emphasising the desolation of the scene.

British Dictionary definitions for emphasising

emphasize

emphasise

verb
  1. (tr) to give emphasis or prominence to; stress
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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 emphasising

emphasize

v.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper