WordValeemphasize
to give special importance to
In more detail
1. (verb) to give special importance or prominence to something; to stress
2. (verb) to make something more noticeable or prominent by using special techniques
Examples
- 1. The teacher emphasized the importance of regular practice.
- 2. The artist used bold colors to emphasize the central figure in the painting.
How to use emphasize
Emphasize means to draw attention to something as particularly important or noteworthy. It is used both literally (emphasizing features in design) and figuratively (stressing the significance of ideas). Unlike stress, which can imply pressure or concern, emphasize is more neutral and formal, often appearing in academic, professional, and instructional contexts.
Common phrases
- emphasize the importance
- emphasize a point
- emphasize the need for
- strongly emphasize
- emphasize that
Synonyms
stress · highlight · underscore · accentuate · underline
Opposites
downplay · de-emphasize · minimize
Word family
emphasis (noun) · emphatic (adjective) · emphatically (adverb) · emphatic (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse emphasize with emphasise (British spelling), but more commonly they overuse it where simpler words like stress or highlight would be more natural in casual speech.
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