emphasize

American  

[em-fuh-sahyz] / ˈɛm fəˌsaɪz /

especially British, emphasise

verb (used with object)

emphasized, emphasizing

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

   to emphasize a point;

   to emphasize the eyes with mascara.

   Synonyms:

   highlight, accentuate, accent

---

emphasize British  

/ ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

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

---

Other Word Forms

• hyperemphasize verb (used with object)
• misemphasize verb (used with object)
• reemphasize verb (used with object)
• superemphasize verb (used with object)
• unemphasizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of emphasize

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

Example Sentences

The AHA’s recommendations, published in Circulation, emphasize starting a heart-healthy diet at age 1 and maintaining it throughout life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The findings show that hundreds of migratory freshwater fish species are in poor conservation condition and emphasize that protecting them requires managing rivers as connected systems rather than treating them as separate national waterways.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Abecasis is keen to emphasize that the private-credit sector is relatively small in size.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Here, I thought of Bluey’s more tender moments — those, for instance, that emphasize becoming comfortable with growing older and letting go.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

So when I talk to my students about this, I will emphasize the importance of fire safety.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

• accentuate
• affirm
• assert
• highlight
• indicate
• maintain
• point out
• reiterate
• repeat
• underline
• underscore