English dictionary

emphasize Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the past tense of emphasize?

The past tense of emphasize is emphasized. The present participle is emphasizing.

ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz

What Does Emphasize Mean?

As a verb, emphasize means to place emphasis on.

Word Facts for Emphasize

Part of speech	verb
Pronunciation	/ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz/
Syllables	3
Synonyms	accentuate, stress and accent
Antonyms	destress, deemphasize and de-emphasize
Verb forms	emphasizes, emphasizing, emphasized
First known use	1793

Emphasize Definition (Verb)

to place emphasis on : stress
emphasized the need for reform

Synonyms of Emphasize

accentuate stress accent underscore punctuate underline bring out set off feature foreground highlight illuminate play up point (up)press italicize betone

Emphasize synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Emphasize

destress deemphasize de-emphasize play downtone (down)underemphasize understate belittle discount disparage minimize decrease diminish lessen reduce subdue weaken downplay

Emphasize in a Sentence

His two-fingered gesture emphasized what he had told his boss to do with his job.

emphasized the need for reform

supermarket tabloids that emphasize sensational news stories

that huge belt buckle only emphasizes his big gut

Word Forms & Grammar

em·pha·sized

em·pha·siz·ing

emphasize

emphasized

emphasizes

emphasizing

emphasise

emphasised

emphasises

emphasising

emphasize (third-person singular simple present emphasizes, present participle emphasizing, simple past and past participle emphasized)

Words That Rhyme With Emphasize

Origin of Emphasize

Origin 1: emphas(is) + -ize

Origin 2: Latin, from Ancient Greek – see emphasis. By surface analysis, emphasis +‎ -ize.

First Known Use

1793

Emphasize Pronunciation

The standard pronunciation of emphasize is /ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz/, spoken in 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (em(p)).

Emphasize: Your Questions Answered

What part of speech is emphasize?

Emphasize is a verb.

What is another word for emphasize?

Words with a similar meaning to emphasize include accentuate, stress and accent. See the full list of emphasize synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of emphasize?

Words opposite in meaning to emphasize are destress, deemphasize, de-emphasize and play down.

What is the past tense of emphasize?

The past tense of emphasize is emphasized. The present participle is emphasizing.