ACCENTUATE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

accentuate

verb

ik-ˈsen(t)-shə-ˌwāt

Definition of accentuate

as in to emphasize

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on let's accentuate the saxophones during this piece by having the sax players stand up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to enhance

to make markedly greater in measure or degree the foul weather merely accentuated my feelings of depression

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reinforce

to make more apparent unfortunately, the new bedspread just accentuates the dinginess of the curtains behind the bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of accentuate The chapel overlooked a canyon, and Clementina designed the seating in the shape of a Greek amphitheater to accentuate the mountain landscape’s beauty. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026 But Galactic Racer layers on some clever elements to help accentuate its distinct style. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The audio was then used to accentuate tense scenes featuring astronauts Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood). — Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 In the guest rooms, a floor-to-celing window looks out to an expansive view of Tokyo’s skyline, filtering in lots of sunlight and accentuating the modern, unfussy interiors. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accentuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuate

Verb

Google’s November 13, 2025 holiday shopping update began rolling out agentic checkout and emphasized the scale of its Shopping Graph, with more than 50 billion product listings and 2 billion refreshed every hour.

— Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The collectibles industry, once a niche hobby, has boomed since the pandemic with the help of marketing that emphasizes huge potential monetary wins.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Pierce and Kember were born in the same place on the same day, a lore-enhancing coincidence too stupid to make up.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Here will be the makings of an 85-acre live-work-play sector of the city that theoretically will seamlessly nestle into a neighborhood and enhance everything from The Crossroads Arts District to Union Station and the National WWI Museum & Memorial.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships for NBCUniversal, reinforced Shapiro’s observations in a separate session.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The audience response has reinforced interest in experiencing independent films on the big screen and helped inform ABFF’s expansion into theatrical distribution.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

Russia has also intensified attacks on Ukraine's transport infrastructure, including road border crossings, railways and shipping routes, Derkach said.

— Elsa Ohlen,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Support for separation intensified among some Albertans following COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates.

— Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

Beskrestnov stressed that it is not used on Russian territory and that Starshield provides no service to Ukrainian drones used to attack oil refineries there.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Jill Lindsey, an advocate for the Old National community, stressed that both resident homeowners and independent investors are taking devastating financial losses.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

By then, playoff implications could be at stake, which would heighten the tension even more between these bitter rivals.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Attacks in the Black Sea have also heightened fears about global food security, as Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exports of grain.

— Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of heighten

Verb

While security is by far the most pressing priority, new projections from the IMF have revealed the war’s deepening economic toll.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Washington, for its part, is creating friction in many of its partnerships instead of deepening them, and risks squandering its network just as its adversaries are learning to make more of theirs.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepen

Browse Nearby Words

accents

accentuate

accentuated

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Style

“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of accentuate

verb

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