1. Single out as important; draw attention to (something)
   "Dr. Jones emphasises exercise in addition to a change in diet";
   - stress, emphasize, punctuate, accent, accentuate
    
2. Give extra weight to (a communication)
   "Her gesture emphasised her words";
   - underscore, underline, emphasize

1. Reduce the importance, intensity, or prominence of something
   "The new curriculum de-emphasises rote learning";
   - de-emphasize, destress

Derived forms: de-emphasised, de-emphasises, de-emphasising

See also: foreground, highlight, play up, spotlight

Type of: alter, change, evince [formal], express, modify, show

Encyclopedia: Emphasise