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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vengathattil emphasized that the impact goes beyond speed. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 By removing color, the focus shifts to texture, light, gesture, and gaze — emphasizing the nuances of connection and the multiplicity of what love can look like beyond normative, romanticized ideals. Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025 Alpert, who has tried both linen and linen-blend bedding from Piglet, emphasizes the airiness factor of the sheets. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025 While the shift could be seen as a bargaining tactic amid tense negotiations with OpenAI over its restructuring and IPO ambitions, insiders emphasize that Microsoft is simply going with the best-performing models. Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emphasize

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emphasize. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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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