emphasize
Americanverb (used with object)
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emphasizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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emphasized,
past participle, past
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emphasizing
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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hyperemphasizeverb (used with object)
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misemphasizeverb (used with object)
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reemphasizeverb (used with object)
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superemphasizeverb (used with object)
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unemphasizingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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emphasizesimple
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emphasizessimple
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have emphasizedperfect
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has emphasizedperfect
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am emphasizingprogressive
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are emphasizingprogressive
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is emphasizingprogressive
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have been emphasizingperfect progressive
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has been emphasizingperfect progressive
Past
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emphasizedsimple
-
had emphasizedperfect
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was emphasizingprogressive
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were emphasizingprogressive
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had been emphasizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of emphasize
First recorded in 1820–30; emphas(is) + -ize
Explanation
To emphasize is to make something important, or stress it, like when you were little and your parents would always emphasize the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street. They told you again and again and again. And again. The verb emphasize works when you really want to stress a point or give extra weight to an issue. Emphasize comes from words that mean “significance” and “to present or show.” A player who finally makes the varsity team might emphasize this achievement by always wearing his practice jersey — even off the field, or you might emphasize the importance of being on time by locking the door on latecomers.
Vocabulary lists containing emphasize
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1
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Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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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:
The researchers also emphasize that these models have important limitations.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026
Don Omar and Hakim further emphasize the cross-cultural nature of the song by using each other’s respective cultural productions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
Earlier this year, PwC U.S. rolled out a curriculum meant to emphasize both AI skills and human traits like empathy and creativity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
“While some advisers emphasize this approach, it is not how many advisory relationships are structured today.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
They are used for two purposes, and two purposes only: • To emphasize.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
“There isn’t any evidence that demonstrates this works,” Yasmin emphasizes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
He emphasizes that ”There were no failed auctions, no dealer balance sheet seizure, no forced unwinds.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
The title track, which emphasizes the rapper’s new level of stardom, is anchored by a gleaming flip of Linda Clifford’s “Never Gonna Stop,” just four notes circling in a bewitching loop.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Julia Bączek emphasizes that past experiences can be processed differently over time, rather than remaining fixed and unchangeable.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026
A multicultural interpretation of US history emphasizes only the “contributions” of groups that were ignored in the dominant origin myth, including Indigenous peoples, women, African Americans, and immigrants.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
However, Daryanani emphasized the importance of continued momentum in the company’s software business, which represents roughly 45% of revenue.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
The speakers emphasized that the Cybercab is safer than a human driver.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
She also emphasized continued cooperation with the U.S. government, saying that coordination on that front is “extremely strong.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
He also co-founded the now defunct Elysium Honey, which emphasized “low-disturbance” beekeeping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
He emphasized the now, as if to say, We know very well you got kicked out of preaching the Gospel.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
That’s worth emphasizing, since the typical pattern is for new investment strategies to eventually lose their ability to outperform the competition.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
Now independent medical groups are stepping up with their own recommendations, emphasizing the shots are safe and people who are eligible should get them.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
"It's ridiculous. It's not up to him to decide," said business executive Gilbert Russell, emphasizing the indigenous origin of the lake's name, given to it "hundreds of years ago."
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
For one thing, she is emphasizing that her executive leadership is the first team—a concept I discussed recently with Gong CEO Amit Bendov.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
His copper-plated armor molds to his muscles, emphasizing the power in his body.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
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.
