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 Parton realized that accentuating her physical silhouette got a reaction, but insisted upon her songwriting as her greatest asset. — Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Mehldau takes special care to retain Smith’s idiosyncratic chord structures, accentuating his sublime harmonic feel. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 It’s designed with a darling sailor-style collar accentuated with white stitching that extends down the front, while the red knit is complemented with ribbing at the hem and sleeves. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2026 The right trees can accentuate the look of your home’s curb appeal or draw in birds and other wildlife with edible berries or safe shelter for nests. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accentuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuate

Verb

At a high level of abstraction, some scholars emphasize the multiplicity itself as a key aspect of Hinduism.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Since Tiffany’s attacks began, Crowley has moved in Hong’s general direction, emphasizing his requirements—using exclusively renewable energy to power new data centers, building them with union labor—for developers to receive the tax breaks.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Meta agreed to impose changes including a default two-hour daily time limit for teens across Facebook and Instagram, muted notifications during school hours, and enhanced parental controls, with more updates potentially on the horizon.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Leaders must prioritize building cognitive and identity infrastructure, focusing on *how* people think and their self-authorship, ensuring AI enhances human judgment rather than standardizing it.

— Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

The look also pulls from indie sleaze, which Trendalytics reports is up 80% in social buzz, reinforcing the messy, early-2000s finish that defines the trend.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Both formulas pair moisture-drawing glycerin with pea peptide and a trio of ceramides to condition and reinforce dry, stressed hair.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

Held over 10 days each October, the event started in 1957 as a way to both highlight the bridges and unite the county’s communities in a tourism effort.

— Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Most videos across the network were titled with the name of a Democratic politician, followed by an all-caps verb highlighting a negative economic story, a recent scandal, or alleged corruption.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

Community health workers also stress AI's inability to build trust and human connection, especially in underserved areas.

— Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Responding to journalists' questions, Macron urged the United States not to hoard cutting-edge AI technologies for itself and stressed that countries must engage in global cooperation on AI regulation.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

Mandating malnutrition reporting could increase the need for dietitians in already understaffed hospitals, or create overwhelming caseloads that could endanger patients and heighten the risk of RD burnout.

— Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
The manufacturing and exporting might of China and the artificial intelligence revolution are heightening concerns of France being left behind economically and technologically.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of heighten

Verb

Since seizing power, Tiani’s government has shifted away from Western partners, deepened ties with Russia and broken with the regional ECOWAS bloc, joining Mali and Burkina Faso to form the breakaway AES bloc.

— Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
My 50s has just continued to be about trying to figure out my place in the world and deepening my friendships with my friends, my family.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepen

Browse Nearby Words

accents

accentuate

accentuated

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“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of accentuate

verb

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