underscore
Americanverb (used with object)
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to mark with a line or lines underneath; underline, as for emphasis.
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to stress; emphasize.
The recent tragedy underscores the danger of disregarding safety rules.
noun
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a line drawn beneath something written or printed.
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music for a film soundtrack; background for a film or stage production.
verb
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to draw or score a line or mark under
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to stress or reinforce
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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underscoresimple
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underscoressimple
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have underscoredperfect
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has underscoredperfect
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am underscoringprogressive
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are underscoringprogressive
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is underscoringprogressive
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have been underscoringperfect progressive
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has been underscoringperfect progressive
Past
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underscoredsimple
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had underscoredperfect
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was underscoringprogressive
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were underscoringprogressive
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had been underscoringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of underscore
Explanation
To underscore is to draw special attention to a fact, idea, or situation. When you're involved in a debate, it’s wise to underscore the points that best support your argument. Literally, underscore means “to underline,” or draw a line beneath a word to emphasize it. In common speech, to underscore something is to call attention to it. If a worker sustained an injury on the job, for instance, the event would underscore the need for workplace safety. Underscore is also used to mean "emphasize." During a job interview, you want to underscore any experience that relates to the job you are applying for.
Vocabulary lists containing underscore
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 2
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The New SAT: The Language of the Test
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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 strong earnings underscore the Chinese battery maker’s ability to outgrow the broader EV market, which is experiencing slowing demand, especially in China.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
The findings also underscore the value of broadening the range of animal models used in medical research.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026
These trends underscore the importance of money managers having their own research capability.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
To further underscore the consistent winning the Dodgers have achieved with him: The Dodgers had two 100-win campaigns in their first 58 seasons in Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
To underscore Babulya’s words, the house spirit stood up tall on Babulya’s shoulder and flicked his wrist at Ivan.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
"It underscores Samsung's dominance of the foldable category and its determination to expand the market with a device for almost every type of user."
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
"This research underscores the value of long-term marine mammal stranding response programs," said Page.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
Brown’s move to Meta underscores the increasing demand for top executives with experience developing computing infrastructure as AI use continues to skyrocket.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
“It underscores the financial pressures of many households,” Boyden said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
Roman's observation underscores how difficult it is for those of us preoccupied with the humdrum concerns of adulthood to recall how forcefully we were once buffeted by the passions and longings of youth.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
She said this was underscored by the inclusion of the strategy.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
"The two sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, reducing the risk of miscalculation, and sustaining dialogue on matters of mutual concern," the statement read.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
Beijing’s support of the sector, underscored by President Xi’s remarks last week at an AI conference, should provide further boost to market sentiment, CE adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
The range of reactions underscored Graham’s unusual place in American politics.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026
Smyth’s query underscored that Ernest’s government patrons were becoming less susceptible to his charm.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
"This is really underscoring the importance of healthy fats in keeping metabolism intact and functional," said Oral.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
Fouquet said ASML’s memory revenue should increase by 75% this year, underscoring appetite for equipment to make those chips.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
The core CPI moved up to a 2.9% rate in May, from 2.5% at the start of the year — underscoring the challenge for the Fed.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
Earlier, he said the United States had agreed to continue talks with Iran even as he declared a previous ceasefire effectively over, underscoring the volatile state of relations between Washington and Tehran.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
But we were reaffirming and underscoring those original concerns, many of which had gone by the wayside.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
