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.
To Begin Developing This Trait: Practice presenting data to different audiences, and emphasize the human element of change management. Ben Jones, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 Whitaker emphasized that a key part of his role would be pushing NATO members to meet Trump's demand to invest at least 5% of their GDP in defense. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 Minutes before the hearing began, Adams emphasized the importance of immigrants in New York City’s history and a need to balance that with a need to for the federal government to manage the border. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025 While emphasizing boosting domestic consumption as a top priority, Beijing vowed to expand the consumer goods trade-in program with an additional 300 billion yuan in ultra long special treasury bonds. Evelyn Cheng,anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Mar. 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 9 Mar. 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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