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Verb: emphasize  'em-fu,sIz
  1. Single out as important; draw attention to (something)
    "Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet";
    - stress, emphasise [Brit], punctuate, accent, accentuate
     
  2. Give extra weight to (a communication)
    "Her gesture emphasized her words";
    - underscore, underline, emphasise [Brit]
Verb: de-emphasize  dee'em-fu,sIz
  1. Reduce the importance, intensity, or prominence of something
    "Learn when to de-emphasize grades in your course or subject";
    - de-emphasise [Brit], destress

Derived forms: de-emphasized, de-emphasizes, de-emphasizing

See also: foreground, highlight, play up, spotlight

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

Encyclopedia: Emphasize