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

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emphasize British  

/ ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

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

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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

To overcome these barriers, scientists emphasize the need for collaboration across disciplines.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 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

Except I’ll make the “D” capital, so you have to, like, emphasize the second syllable, you know?

From "The Misfits" by James Howe

Related Words

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