emphasize

verb

em·​pha·​size ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz How to pronounce emphasize (audio)
emphasized; emphasizing

transitive verb

: to place emphasis on : stress
emphasized the need for reform

Examples of emphasize in a Sentence

supermarket tabloids that emphasize sensational news stories that huge belt buckle only emphasizes his big gut
Recent Examples on the Web Currently, the framework of real estate solely emphasizes the buy and sell transaction, said John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada, a real estate tech company. John Towfighi, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 While Schiff is a strong favorite, Garvey has emphasized his background as a team player with a history of bringing people together. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024 In a statement, Josh Kelley, speaking as a senior advisor on Braun's campaign, emphasized that the fundraiser had ended hours before the nearly 2 a.m. vote — plenty of time for Braun to make it to Washington D.C. had his team known the vote would happen over night. Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Mar. 2024 District leaders, however, emphasize that the current system is already disproportionately impacting Black, brown and impoverished students. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024 But even if a refund is made, Lewis emphasized that the requestor at least temporarily loses access to their money. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 In its filing, the company plans to emphasize that competition laws permit it to adopt policies or designs that its competitors oppose, particularly when those designs would make using an iPhone a better experience. Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 China has sought to emphasize its openness to foreign companies and investment. Elaine Kurtenbach, Fortune Asia, 20 Mar. 2024 Its sound design is cacophonous, emphasizing every footstep, breath and gunshot to a disorienting degree, despite being rooted in the POV of characters whose hearing, and whose relationship to atmospheric sound, is ostensibly run-of-the-mill. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emphasize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

emphas(is) + -ize

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emphasize was in 1793

Dictionary Entries Near emphasize

Cite this Entry

“Emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emphasize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

emphasize

verb
em·​pha·​size ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz How to pronounce emphasize (audio)
emphasized; emphasizing
: to place emphasis on : stress as being important or so as to stand out

More from Merriam-Webster on emphasize

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