emphasize
[verb]
Synonyms: stress, accentuate, dwell on, give priority to, highlight, lay stress on, play up, press home, underline

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Antonyms: de-emphasize
Contrasted words: depreciate, minimize, play (down), shrug off, underrate, understate
Related Idioms: bear down on (or upon)
Related Words: accent, accentuate, charge, highlight, mark, pinpoint, point (up), punctuate, spotlight, assert, press

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English Thesaurus: emphasize, stress, highlight, underline/underscore, accentuate, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

em‧pha‧size S3 W2 AC (also emphasise British English) /ˈemfəsaɪz/ verb [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: emphasize; noun: emphasis; adverb: emphatically; adjective: emphatic]

1. to say something in a strong way Synonym : stress:
The report emphasizes the importance of improving safety standards.
Logan made a speech emphasizing the need for more volunteers.
emphasize that/how
The Prime Minister emphasized that there are no plans to raise taxes.

2. to say a word or phrase louder or higher than others to give it more importance Synonym : stress

3. to make something more noticeable Synonym : accentuate:
The dress emphasized the shape of her body.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

emphasize
verb
ADV. strongly | rightly The new law rightly emphasizes parental responsibility.
VERB + EMPHASIZE must, should I must emphasize that this is only a summary, and the full report will not be available until next week.
be important to It is important to emphasize this point.
seem to, serve to, tend to All the arguments and counter-arguments serve to emphasize the controversy surrounding this disease.
fail to | be at pains to, be keen to I have been at pains to emphasize the positive aspects of discipline.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

emphasize
verb
BAD: My previous teacher emphasized on the importance of grammar.
GOOD: My previous teacher emphasized the importance of grammar.

Usage Note:
emphasize sth (verb) WITHOUT on : 'The candidate made a short speech emphasizing the need for solidarity.'
emphasis on sth (noun): 'In all our courses there is an emphasis on student-centred learning.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

emphasize to say strongly or show clearly that a fact, idea etc is especially important:
Our company emphasizes the need for good communication between staff.
stress to emphasize something when you are talking about a subject:
Most schools stress the importance of parental involvement in their child’s learning.
He stressed the need for parents to listen to their children.
highlight to show that something is important, so that people will pay special attention to it:
This case highlights the need for tougher laws on gun ownership.
The report highlights the decline in the numbers of native plants and insects.
underline/underscore to help to show clearly that a fact is true, especially a fact that is already known:
These attacks underline the fact that the security situation here remains fragile.
The president’s speech repeatedly underscored the progress that has been made.
accentuate to show something clearly and make it easier to notice:
The recent economic crisis has accentuated the gap between the rich and the poor.
overemphasize to emphasize something too much:
The relation between food and health is often overemphasized in my view.
play up to emphasize something and make it seem more important than it really is, especially to get advantages for yourself:
The story has been played up by the media.
The Labour party had a great time playing up the Conservatives’ problems.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

worry the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrong:
She was sick with worry over her daughter.
the look of worry on his face
anxiety the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation:
The thought of having to give a speech filled me with anxiety.
The increase in heating costs is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.
concern a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone:
The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.
stress the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired:
Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry:
How could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her?
When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish.
angst a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situation:
The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend?
There was much angst about the decision.
stress the importance of something
He has always stressed the importance of a stable family.
stress the need for something
She stressed the need for more effective policing.
stress a point
This point needs to be stressed.
stress a fact
Medicines usually stress the fact that you must not exceed the stated dose.
stress the role of somebody/something
In her speech, she stressed the role of parents in preventing youth crime.
stress your commitment to (doing) something
The President stressed his commitment to tackling world poverty.
emphasize to say strongly or show clearly that a fact, idea etc is especially important:
Our company emphasizes the need for good communication between staff.
highlight to show that something is important, so that people will pay special attention to it:
This case highlights the need for tougher laws on gun ownership.
The report highlights the decline in the numbers of native plants and insects.
underline/underscore to help to show clearly that a fact is true, especially a fact that is already known:
These attacks underline the fact that the security situation here remains fragile.
The president’s speech repeatedly underscored the progress that has been made.
accentuate to show something clearly and make it easier to notice:
The recent economic crisis has accentuated the gap between the rich and the poor.
overemphasize to emphasize something too much:
The relation between food and health is often overemphasized in my view.
play up to emphasize something and make it seem more important than it really is, especially to get advantages for yourself:
The story has been played up by the media.
The Labour party had a great time playing up the Conservatives’ problems.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲