emphasize

emphasize — verb

1. to give particular weight or attention to something, making clear that it is imp

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to give particular weight or attention to something, making clear that it is important or deserves serious consideration

Example

Maja emphasized the importance of arriving on time for every practice session.

emphasize + noun (the importance of)

Samir emphasized that the new library policy affects all students who borrow books.

emphasize + that-clause

Common collocations
  • emphasize the importance of
  • emphasize the need for/to
  • emphasize a point
  • strongly emphasize
  • repeatedly emphasize
Synonyms
  • stress

    almost identical in meaning; the best everyday substitute for this sense

  • highlight

    suggests drawing attention to a specific detail among many, common in academic or presentation contexts

  • underscore

    slightly more formal and figurative; often used when a situation or fact makes something clear

Antonyms
  • downplay

    to make something seem less important than it really is

  • minimize

    to reduce or treat as less significant

Grammar Patterns

emphasize + noun phrase

emphasize + that-clause

emphasize + wh-clause

Usage Note

Commonly followed by a noun phrase or a that-clause. The object is typically an abstract noun such as 'importance', 'need', 'value', or 'point'.

Common Mistakes

He emphasized me the rules.
He emphasized the rules to me.
emphasize takes a direct object (the thing being stressed), not an indirect object. Use 'to + person' if needed.
She emphasized on the need for change.
She emphasized the need for change.
no preposition follows emphasize; it is a transitive verb that takes the object directly.

2. to cause a particular feature, detail, or quality to be seen or noticed more cle

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to cause a particular feature, detail, or quality to be seen or noticed more clearly, especially in visual or artistic contexts

Example

The dark frame emphasizes the bright colours of the painting on the wall.

emphasize + noun (visual feature in art)

Apinya adjusted the contrast on her camera to emphasize the shadows in the photo.

emphasize + noun (detail in photography)

Common collocations
  • emphasize a feature
  • emphasize contrast
  • emphasize texture
  • emphasize shape
  • emphasize colour
Synonyms
  • highlight

    very close in meaning; slightly broader and can be used in non-visual contexts too

  • accentuate

    slightly more formal; often used for physical features in fashion or design

Antonyms
  • conceal

    to hide or keep out of sight

  • mask

    to cover so that a feature is no longer visible or noticeable

Grammar Patterns

emphasize + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used in visual and artistic contexts such as photography, design, fashion, and interior decorating. The object is a feature, quality, or detail that becomes more noticeable through contrast or arrangement.

Common Mistakes

The scarf emphasizes to her eyes.
The scarf emphasizes the colour of her eyes.
emphasize takes a direct object, not an indirect object; the feature being made obvious must follow directly.

Word family

  • emphasis
    nounB2
  • emphatic
    adjectiveC1
  • emphatically
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Stress is the closest synonym and is often interchangeable with emphasize, though stress can carry a slightly stronger feeling of insistence or pressure. Highlight commonly means to draw attention to one specific point among a larger set, and is very widely used in academic and presentation contexts. Underscore is more formal and metaphorical, coming from the idea of drawing a line under text; it is often used when a situation or event makes something clear. Accentuate overlaps with both senses of emphasize, but is more common in visual and design contexts; it leans toward sense 2. For example: 'The report emphasizes the need for reform.' 'Let me highlight the key findings.' 'The election result only underscores the deep divisions in the country.' 'The lighting accentuates the curves of the modern furniture.'

stress ↗highlight ↗underscoreaccentuate

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The word 'emphasize' traces back through Latin 'emphasis' to the Greek 'emphainein', meaning 'to exhibit or show'. It entered English in the 16th century as a rhetorical term referring to special force of expression. The verb form 'emphasize' appeared in the 19th century, replacing the earlier verb 'emphasise' (British spelling retains 'emphasise').