Accentuating: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when you want to stress a particular feature or detail to make it more noticeable or prominent. Often used in fashion, design, or speaking.

• The designer chose a bright belt, accentuating her narrow waist.
• Her speech was powerful, accentuating the need for change.

Ideal for situations where you want to make something more clear or give it more importance in order to ensure it is understood or remembered.

• Teachers emphasize the importance of homework.
• He raised his voice to emphasize his point.

Best used when you want to bring attention to something specific, often to make it stand out from the rest. Commonly used in documents, presentations, or visual contexts.

• The report highlights the year’s achievements.
• She highlighted the text with a marker.

Used when you want to stress something important, often to add weight or credibility to an argument. It can also be used in a negative situation to underline flaws or issues.

• The findings underscore the need for further research.
• His actions underscore his lack of commitment.

This is often used when trying to bring particular attention to a detail or feature. It suggests a deliberate action to make something more noticeable.

• The designer is accentuating the model's curves with this dress.
• The lighting is accentuating the shadows on her face.

This word is commonly used in speech or writing to underline the importance of an idea, detail, or fact. It conveys the notion of making something stand out for clarity or significance.

• The teacher emphasized the importance of doing homework.
• He emphasized his point by speaking more slowly.

Typically used in both visual and textual contexts to point out something of particular interest or importance. It can also refer to physically marking text with a highlighter.

• The report highlighted the need for immediate action.
• She used a marker to highlight the important sections of the book.

This has a negative connotation and is used when someone is trying to attract attention in an ostentatious or boastful way. It suggests a display of something to impress others.

• He's always showing off his new car.
• She was showing off her singing skills at the party.