underscore

[uhn-der-skawr, -skohr, uhn-der-skawr, -skohr, uhn-der-skawr, -skohr]

verb (used with object)

underscored, underscoring 

1. to mark with a line or lines underneath; underline, as for emphasis.

2. to stress; emphasize.

   The recent tragedy underscores the danger of disregarding safety rules.

noun

1. a line drawn beneath something written or printed.

2. music for a film soundtrack; background for a film or stage production.

underscore

verb

1. to draw or score a line or mark under

2. to stress or reinforce

noun

1. a line drawn under written matter

Word History and Origins

Origin of underscore¹

First recorded in 1765–75; under- + score

Example Sentences

Miles’ case underscores a stark contradiction: people whose ancestors inhabited this land for millennia can still be treated as outsiders, illustrating how legal recognition and federal enforcement often fail to align in practice.

Read more on Salon

This imagery is underscored elsewhere in the show in works that overtly deal with the artist’s own health struggles and her cancer diagnosis.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Alex Bores, a member of the New York State Assembly and software engineer who once worked at Palantir Technologies, said Leading the Future’s decision to target him underscores his record.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"This attack underscores the greatest national security threat facing our nation," the president said.

Read more on BBC

This was to underscore the literal truth of Psalm 113:3: “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accentuate 
• highlight 
• indicate 
• mark 
• stress