UNDERLINES Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

underlines

verb

present tense third-person singular of underline

as in emphasizes

to indicate the importance of by giving prominent display the dean's speech underlined some of the impressive accomplishments racked up by members of the graduation class

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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 underlines President Donald Trump‘s appearance in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday underlines the Mahoning Valley as a bellwether of whether Democrats can win back the white, working-class voters that have rapidly shifted away from the party in recent years. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 Majidi’s matter-of-fact style of shooting underlines the cold reality that Soulan tries to navigate, and strips away any semblance of potential didacticism. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 Perhaps that underlines the value of continuing to play regular football in Ligue 1 during those important years, rather than joining a Premier League club who might not have a clear long-term plan for a player’s development. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Director Chloe Okuno builds an atmosphere of dread, keeps the audience guessing and subtly underlines the film’s message about gaslighting and misogyny. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026 Harry remains outside that structure, and his absence from an occasion of this significance underlines just how different the brothers’ positions have become. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2026 Having this delight of a performance nominated alongside his scenery-chewing in The Beast in Me underlines Rhys’ versatility. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026 Under titles including work, community, motherhood, sports and civic life, the diverse array of artists effectively underlines the essential nature of these experiences. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Which just underlines how the locus of competition has expanded into finance itself. — Amit Joshi, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlines

Verb

Child Mind Institute guidance on communicating with teenagers emphasizes listening, validating feelings and creating space where kids feel safe speaking up.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
Intended to inform fashion, beauty, interiors and other consumer industries, the palette emphasizes shades that can change character through different combinations and materials.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of emphasizes

Verb

As performance cars increasingly isolate drivers from the mechanical process of driving, the simple act of reaching for that unique shift knob reinforces the notion that the tactile pleasures of driving are still worth celebrating.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Tom Pelphrey’s recent Emmy win for Task only reinforces that view, as do the flourishing careers of Lewis Pullman and Imogen Poots.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforces

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underlined

underlines

underling

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

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Synonyms of underlines

verb

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