Emphasized: meaning, definitions and examples

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emphasized

 

[ ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz ]

Verb / Adjective
Context #1 | Verb

in writing

Give special importance or value to (something) in speaking or writing.

Synonyms

accentuate, highlight, stress, underline.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
emphasized

Used when you want to give special importance to something that has been mentioned or done. Often used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts.

  • She emphasized the need for immediate action
  • The teacher emphasized the importance of studying for exams
highlight

Commonly used to bring attention to the most important points or to the most noticeable features. Used in both formal and informal settings.

  • The report highlights the main challenges the company is facing
  • She uses a marker to highlight important passages in her notes
stress

Used to indicate that something should be given special importance or attention. Often carries a sense of urgency or importance. Can have a slightly negative connotation if overused.

  • He stressed the importance of being on time
  • The coach stressed the need for teamwork during the match
underline

Typically used to indicate that something is given extra importance, often visually in text. Can be used both metaphorically and literally.

  • You should underline the main points in your essay
  • Her achievements underline her dedication to the job
accentuate

Typically used in more formal contexts or writing to indicate that something is being made more noticeable or prominent. Often used in art, fashion, and design.

  • The artist used dark colors to accentuate the shadows in the painting
  • The dress was designed to accentuate her figure

Examples of usage

  • He consistently emphasized the need for change.
  • She emphasized that the decision was final.
Context #2 | Verb

in pronunciation

Give special importance to (something) in speaking.

Synonyms

accent, pronounce clearly, stress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
emphasized

Use this word when you want to indicate that something has been given special importance or attention.

  • She emphasized the need for good communication
  • The teacher emphasized the importance of studying
accent

This is often used in the context of pronunciation to describe a distinctive way of speaking or stressing certain syllables, usually related to a specific region or country.

  • She has a strong British accent
  • The word 'record' has different accents depending on whether it's a noun or a verb
pronounce clearly

Use this term when you want to focus on the clear articulation of words, often in the context of speaking or teaching languages.

  • Make sure to pronounce clearly so everyone can understand you
  • The language instructor asked the students to pronounce clearly
stress

Similar to 'emphasized', this term is used when you want to give special importance to something, but can also imply putting pressure or making demands.

  • The manager stressed the importance of meeting the deadline
  • She stressed the word 'not' to make her point clear

Examples of usage

  • She emphasized the first syllable of the word.
Context #3 | Adjective

in typography

Given greater prominence in writing or typography by the use of bold or italic type.

Synonyms

bold, highlighted, prominent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
emphasized

Used to show that special importance is given to something.

  • The teacher emphasized the importance of studying for the exam.
  • She emphasized the need for better communication within the team.
highlighted

Used when showing that something is marked as important or with a bright color to make it stand out.

  • The report highlighted several key issues that need to be addressed.
  • She highlighted the important dates in her calendar.
prominent

Used to show that something or someone is very noticeable, important, or famous.

  • She is a prominent figure in the tech industry.
  • The statue is in a prominent position in the park.
bold

Used to describe text that is made thicker to stand out more, or to describe someone who is confident and not afraid of taking risks.

  • Please make the headings bold in your report.
  • He made a bold decision to quit his job and travel the world.

Examples of usage

  • The emphasized text stands out from the rest of the page.

Translations

Translations of the word "emphasized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enfatizado

🇮🇳 ज़ोर दिया गया

🇩🇪 betont

🇮🇩 ditekankan

🇺🇦 підкреслений

🇵🇱 podkreślony

🇯🇵 強調された

🇫🇷 souligné

🇪🇸 enfatizado

🇹🇷 vurgulanan

🇰🇷 강조된

🇸🇦 مؤكد

🇨🇿 zdůrazněný

🇸🇰 zdôraznený

🇨🇳 强调的

🇸🇮 poudarjen

🇮🇸 áhersla

🇰🇿 назар аударылған

🇬🇪 გამოკვეთილი

🇦🇿 vurğulanmış

🇲🇽 enfatizado

Etymology

The word 'emphasized' originates from the Latin word 'emphasis', which in turn comes from the Greek 'emphazein', meaning 'to exhibit, display'. The concept of emphasizing words or ideas has been present in language for centuries, with various techniques used to draw attention to specific points. In modern usage, emphasis is a key aspect of effective communication, helping to convey meaning and importance.

See also: emphasizer, overemphasize, overemphasized, reemphasize.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,057, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.