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 emphasising

Historical Examples of emphasising

"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.
Eighteen Months in the War Zone
Kate John Finzi

British Dictionary definitions for emphasising

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 emphasising

emphasize

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