EMPHASIS Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

emphasis

noun

ˈem(p)-fə-səs

Definition of emphasis

as in focus

a special notice or importance given to something a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intensity

the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression) the emphasis with which my parents issued the warning about smoking left no doubt that they were serious

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 emphasis The project begins with an assessment of the city’s present conditions with an emphasis on development readiness, economic opportunity and barriers that could arise. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 The emphasis for many is no longer on pushing physical limits, but on slowing down and reducing stress, connecting with nature and community, and making active exploration feel less rushed. — Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026 As global competition in advanced military technology continues, the DF-17 highlights China’s growing emphasis on developing next-generation weapons capable of improving strategic deterrence and expanding its precision-strike capabilities. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 Her texts are unpunctuated, uppercase, underlined for further emphasis. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emphasis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emphasis

Noun

This, along with driving safety and customer services initiatives, will be a key focus in the years ahead.

— Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
A little focus will make your natural sparkle much easier to trust.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of focus

Noun

Taiwan has stepped up the intensity of the Han Kuang drills, incorporating reservists and more civilians into the exercises with a focus on real-world scenarios.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
The squad have been put through their paces in high-intensity sessions, sometimes twice a day, to build the fitness levels required to carry out the Spaniard’s vision.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensity

Noun

Kash says they are packed with antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids to neutralize free radicals that cause stress and inflammation and help with boosting your immune system overall.

— Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
The company conducts saliva testing for professional sports teams, providing analysis on dozens of biomarkers that touch immunology, inflammation, sleep, hydration, psychological stress and more.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of stress

Noun

She’s learned how to channel her competitiveness and aggressiveness in a much better way, a more productive way.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
If Yesavage can maintain that aggressiveness over the rest of the season, the Jays won’t have to worry about their funky righty.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

The leading open-weight AI models are closing the gap on the frontier in cyber capabilities, an analysis found.

— Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 2026
The shop retained and restored the frame, 3D scanned it, and crafted a specialty battery to fit, keeping weight and balance in mind.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of weight

Noun

Start with the practical fix that frees attention for what matters next.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
The public spotlight on what happened may have grown less intense, but the attention will again be turned to ground zero as people gather to read names and remember.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of attention

Browse Nearby Words

emphases

emphasis

emphasize

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Emphasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasis. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of emphasis

noun

Example Sentences

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