accentuating

verb

present participle of accentuate
1
as in emphasizing
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
2
as in intensifying
to make markedly greater in measure or degree the foul weather merely accentuated my feelings of depression

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reinforcing
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 accentuating Regardless, these photos clearly show a more aggressive package accentuating the 12Cilindri’s athletic stance. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 29 July 2026 Meteorologists said the sweltering weather was the result of another heat dome — a phenomenon in which atmospheric conditions trap heat, accentuating and prolonging already high temperatures. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 The vibrant dress showcased a sexy cut-out, perfectly accentuating her standout Bulgari necklace, which boasted two diamond collars and a central yellow cushion cut diamond. — Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 25 July 2026 Her wild mane of curls and satiny crimson gown added a layer of vivid drama to the performance, accentuating her combo’s incendiary world-jazz sound. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 The athlete’s look included floral appliqués at the shoulder and waist, accentuating a cutout on the bodice. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 July 2026 Adorned in jewelry, the pair were joined onstage by a group of female dancers, accentuating their stage show. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 June 2026 These jeans are a flattering favorite in my closet; their stretchy denim blend stays comfy all day long, while accentuating my curves and smoothing over my tummy. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 The proposal already triggered a fierce debate, accentuating the divide between the rich and poor in a state that’s expensive to live in. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accentuating
  1. emphasizing
  2. intensifying
  3. reinforcing
  4. highlighting
  5. deepening
  6. stressing
  7. enhancing
  8. featuring
Verb
  • Summary Frank Naeymi-Rad, a doctor and computer scientist, recounts a pivotal healthcare AI project at a VA hospital, emphasizing that clinical data accuracy is paramount.
    — Frank Naeymi-Rad, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Boston police urged people to celebrate responsibly while emphasizing enhanced safety measures.
    — Paul Burton, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of emphasizing
Verb
  • Summary Major League Baseball's push for a salary cap is intensifying, fueled by recent record-breaking franchise sales.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Getting ahead in the burgeoning industry could also boost China’s standing in the intensifying competition with the US on artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • Celebrate small milestones to stay motivated and acknowledge progress along the way, reinforcing positive habits.
    — ByKaren R. McDaniel, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • With fast-frequency response, voltage control, and black-start capabilities, batteries can instantly counter abrupt shifts in supply and demand, reinforcing grid reliability while diversifying income for project owners.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of reinforcing
Verb
  • Ukraine did not shoot down any of the ballistic missiles fired at it overnight, according to an Air Force statement, again highlighting its short supply of missiles interceptors.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Moon conjoins Venus in Libra and your 1st House of Self, highlighting your presence, style, mood, and personal magnetism.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • Hair growth or voice deepening that appears suddenly or progresses rapidly may warrant prompt medical attention.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Google reportedly plans to move its smartphone supply chain outside of China by next year, the latest sign of a deepening tech decoupling as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepening
Verb
  • The article urges individuals, partners, and medical professionals to recognize red flags and proactively seek support, stressing that preparedness and open communication are vital for maternal well-being.
    — John Samuels, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The younger Pallister credited Janelle with never forcing her into the sport and stressing the need to have fun.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of stressing
Verb
  • New-generation Cyber Tire technology feeds data to the onboard dynamic systems, enhancing both performance and safety.
    — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Rather, each represents a performance-enhancing technology that allowed extraordinary humans to exceed what was previously possible.
    — Ruba Borno, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • The Scots, featuring All-American senior wide receiver Wesley Winn, have won two of the past three meetings against King’s Academy, sandwiching a 13-0 loss around a 55-54 overtime win in 2023 and a 28-24 victory last season.
    — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Each screening will include a guest visit featuring longtime collaborators, among them directors Lee Jang-ho, Bae Chang-ho and Chung Jiyoung, along with actors Kim Bo-Yeon and Bae Jong-ok.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of featuring

Browse Nearby Words

accentuates
accentuating
accentuation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accentuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accentuating. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on accentuating

Nglish: Translation of accentuating for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All