emphatic

adjective

em·​phat·​ic im-ˈfa-tik 

em-

1

: uttered with or marked by emphasis

an emphatic refusal

2

: tending to express oneself in forceful speech or to take decisive action

3

: attracting special attention

4

: constituting or belonging to a set of tense forms in English consisting of the auxiliary do followed by an infinitive without to that are used to facilitate rhetorical inversion or to emphasize something

emphatically

im-ˈfa-ti-k(ə-)lē 

em-

adverb

Synonyms

• aggressive
• assertive
• dynamic
• energetic
• forceful
• full-blooded
• muscular
• resounding
• strenuous
• vehement
• vigorous
• violent

Examples of emphatic in a Sentence

They were emphatic about their political differences.

the governor issued an emphatic denial of all charges

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump has been guarded with the public about his plans for resolving the Russia-Ukraine war but has been emphatic that ceasing hostilities is a top priority for his administration. —Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Jan. 2025

The ball ended up in the hands of the Cornhuskers’ Natalie Potts, who attempted a putback only to be met with an emphatic block by Barker to keep it a one-score game. —Andrés Soto, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025

The full time whistle had only just blown on another emphatic Liverpool victory when Mohamed Salah added to the concern of supporters who fear the Egyptian could leave the club next summer. —Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

For every emphatic victory over Manchester City or Aston Villa, there have been dismal defeats to Crystal Palace or Ipswich Town. —Jay Harris, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Late Latin; French emphatique "forcefully expressive," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin emphaticus, borrowed from Greek emphatikós "expressive, indicative," from empha-, stem in noun derivation of emphaínein "to exhibit, display, indicate" + -t-, verbal adjective formative + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at emphasis

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

emphatic

adjective

em·​phat·​ic im-ˈfat-ik 

em-

1

: uttered with or marked by emphasis

2

: tending to express oneself in forceful speech or action

3

: attracting special attention

an emphatic design

emphatically

-ˈfat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb