emphasize
Give special importance or prominence to something
Examples
In a meeting
“I want to emphasize the importance of meeting this deadline.”
Over coffee
“Let me emphasize how much I hate doing laundry.”
Why this word
stress
emphasize is more formal and precise about giving special importance to something, while stress is more colloquial
highlight
emphasize means to give special weight or importance, while highlight simply means to draw attention without necessarily indicating importance
underline
emphasize is literal about stressing importance, while underline is often metaphorical and less direct
Usage tip
Use when you want to stress or highlight particular points in communication
Etymology
Greek: emphasis (appearance, display)
Get a new word every morning
One precise word per day. Under 60 seconds to read. Free forever.
Related words
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or decided.
convey
To communicate or make an idea, feeling, or meaning known.
reiterate
To say something again for emphasis or clarity.
paraphrase
To restate something in different words to make it clearer or shorter.