UNDERLINES Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

underlines

verb

present tense third-person singular of underline

as in emphasizes

to indicate the importance of by giving prominent display the dean's speech underlined some of the impressive accomplishments racked up by members of the graduation class

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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 underlines The video, Droney’s directorial debut, was shot in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park and underlines the song’s timely call to hold onto life’s tangible matters with a cast of friends, family, and local couples captured in different phases of their life. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026 President Donald Trump‘s appearance in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday underlines the Mahoning Valley as a bellwether of whether Democrats can win back the white, working-class voters that have rapidly shifted away from the party in recent years. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 Majidi’s matter-of-fact style of shooting underlines the cold reality that Soulan tries to navigate, and strips away any semblance of potential didacticism. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 Perhaps that underlines the value of continuing to play regular football in Ligue 1 during those important years, rather than joining a Premier League club who might not have a clear long-term plan for a player’s development. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Director Chloe Okuno builds an atmosphere of dread, keeps the audience guessing and subtly underlines the film’s message about gaslighting and misogyny. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026 Harry remains outside that structure, and his absence from an occasion of this significance underlines just how different the brothers’ positions have become. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2026 Having this delight of a performance nominated alongside his scenery-chewing in The Beast in Me underlines Rhys’ versatility. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026 Under titles including work, community, motherhood, sports and civic life, the diverse array of artists effectively underlines the essential nature of these experiences. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlines

Verb

According to Gatto, the right traditionally emphasizes tougher criminal penalties for aggressors, while the left places greater emphasis on protection and support for victims, including shelters and specialized services.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
The approach—which emphasizes empathy, boundaries, and collaboration over punishment—has drawn a fair share of criticism.

— Alex Vance, Parents, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of emphasizes

Verb

His son Gal, 25, was killed fighting in Gaza in December 2023, a loss that reinforces his appeal to voters focused on security.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
That growing threat reinforces our conviction in cybersecurity as a long-term AI winner.

— Alexa LoMonaco,Matthew J. Belvedere,Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforces

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underlined

underlines

underling

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“Underlines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlines. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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