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When you accentuate something you put an “accent,” or emphasis, on it. There’s no need to stress out if you don’t know the word’s history, though; its journey into the English language was very straightforward. It comes from Latin accentus, meaning “accent” (which itself comes in part from cantus, meaning “song”), and since the early 18th century, its meanings haven’t changed much. The word was initially used as a synonym of the verb accent to mean “to pronounce with greater stress or force,” which is a small leap from today’s meaning of “to make something more noticeable; to emphasize.” One excellent way to remember not only how to pronounce accentuate but also its etymological connection to song is the classic (and helpfully titled) tune “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, which has been performed by such luminaries as Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, and Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.
Synonyms
Examples of accentuate in a Sentence
Genevieve Monsma, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024
Each collection aims to accentuate the client’s identity with the uniforms becoming a key element of the guest experience.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The halter style dress accentuated her décolletage and arms regally.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
But for me, that darkness and horror only accentuate the miraculous nature of their love.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024
They’re also constructed with the brand’s contour seam to accentuate your figure and a gap-proof waistband, so there’s no need for alterations.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
Vocally, Rodrigo has a breathy, vowel-bending delivery that can swoop into a full-tilt belt; as a performer, her acting background serves her well, including quick and subtle mannerisms — a pout here, an arched eyebrow there — that accentuate the musical mood.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2024
That intimacy is only accentuated by director Emilie Whelan’s compelling staging, mere inches from the audience in OTP’s performance space in the back room of an Oakland art supplies store.
—Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Sheer garter stockings worn under her bottom accentuated her legs.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accentuate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near accentuate
Cite this Entry
“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accentuate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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accentuate
verb
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