1
as in to emphasize
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
let's accentuate the saxophones during this piece by having the sax players stand up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intensify
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
the foul weather merely accentuated my feelings of depression
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reinforce
to make more apparent
unfortunately, the new bedspread just accentuates the dinginess of the curtains behind the bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of accentuate
The call to live a purposeful existence is accentuated during Pisces season.
—
USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
Several close votes on amendments and tense debates around shelter security and wasteful spending accentuated what has long been a heated conversation on Beacon Hill around who and how many people should access state-run shelters in Massachusetts.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
The jeans are tight around the thighs and then fan out at the ankle to accentuate your shape.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Right from the start, there’s a neo-noir like feel to Gerster’s suspenseful portrait, accentuated by its atonal and slightly disconcerting score.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accentuate
USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
Several close votes on amendments and tense debates around shelter security and wasteful spending accentuated what has long been a heated conversation on Beacon Hill around who and how many people should access state-run shelters in Massachusetts.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
The jeans are tight around the thighs and then fan out at the ankle to accentuate your shape.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Right from the start, there’s a neo-noir like feel to Gerster’s suspenseful portrait, accentuated by its atonal and slightly disconcerting score.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accentuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuate
Verb
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Provide Alternative Leadership Models Leaders within organizations should actively challenge the dominance of forceful, hyper-agentic leadership styles by modeling and rewarding alternative leadership approaches—ones that emphasize collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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Ford values the artistry of performance over commercial considerations, emphasizing the impact of storytelling and giving back through both time and resources.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
Fox News,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Furthermore, competition in the search space could intensify, as Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent are developing their own large language models, potentially challenging Baidu’s market position.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Fighting has intensified in recent months, with government forces gaining ground against the RSF in Khartoum and other regions.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Her plan, Jud said, was probably only reinforced after his mom endured the death of Regenhardt on April 25, 2023.—
Tim Botos,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Now, Trump’s executive order banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports has further reinforced her sense of ostracization.—
Amanda Davies, Aleks Klosok and George Ramsay,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The clip's overlaid text highlights the owner's thoughtful decision to remove the bed frame, allowing the aging pet to climb onto the bed with ease.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Experts say these events, both occurring last week, highlight the growing threat of space debris in a world where launches are ramping up.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Everyone capable of helping with air defense must work to enhance the protection of human life.—
Joe Edwards,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
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The list includes: enhancing risk management by anticipating legal issues and providing proactive advice, fostering a culture of compliance by embracing technology, and developing a crisis management plan.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ball sued the White Sox, which disputed his allegations and stressed that Ball contractually waived claims in consideration for the termination provisions that called for a year of pay and benefits.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2025
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Waltz pushed back on the idea that Europe and Ukraine had been sidelined, while Rubio appeared at pains to stress that any agreement will include Ukraine.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But that central role also means Nvidia is widely viewed as a bellwether for the broader tech sector, meaning expectations were heightened heading into Wednesday’s report.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
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To heighten the comparison even further, the films’ directors, James Cameron (back row, sixth from left) and Kathryn Bigelow (second row, third from right), just so happened to be ex-spouses.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Popular freezer hacks include saving Parmesan rinds to deepen the flavor of soups, cutting up loaves of bread for toast, and even storing homemade jam without all the mess of canning.—
Meghan McCarron,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2025
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My time in China deepened my belief in the potential for a shared future.—
Logan Spinner,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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