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

The Biden administration’s criticism of the Israel warrants was as emphatic as its support for the Putin warrant. —Tim Lister, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024

The break with the outgoing president was significant for Newsom, who acted as an emphatic surrogate for Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Washington Commanders 42, Tennessee Titans 19: The Commanders put an end to a three-game slide in emphatic fashion, scoring 21 first quarter points en route to a rout of the Titans. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024

In the weeks and months leading up to Tuesday’s general election, many of the Republicans, including Trump, who emerged victorious became more emphatic in interviews and stump speeches about dismantling the Education Department altogether. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 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