Emphasizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Gives special importance or prominence to a detail or idea to make it more noticeable
2. Highlights a particular aspect to draw attention or stress its significance
3. Accentuates specific elements to ensure they stand out clearly to others

Etymology: "Emphasizes" is the third-person singular present form of "emphasize," so its history is that of the verb, which traces back to the Greek word for a display or pointing out. "Emphasize" is built from "emphasis," borrowed from Ancient Greek "emphasis," meaning "display" or "exhibition," itself from "emphainein," to show forth or indicate, combining "en" (in) with "phainein" (to show, make appear). The Greek sense was about making something visible, which the English word keeps in its idea of making a point stand out. The verb "emphasize" is formed by adding the suffix "-ize" to "emphasis," following the pattern of many English verbs derived from nouns. The "-s" ending simply marks the present tense for "he," "she," or "it."

Synonyms: stresses, highlights, underscores

Antonyms: downplays, minimizes