UNDERSCORE Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

underscore

verb

ˈən-dər-ˌskȯr

Definition of underscore

as in to emphasize

to make more apparent a history of the Old West that underscores the role that pioneer women had in bringing order and stability to the wild frontier

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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 underscore Dangote’s company bought a 25% stake in the Kenya Pipeline Company, a strategic move that underscores the industrialist’s plan to expand his oil and gas unit into a pan-African operation. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Now, Rupert Murdoch views Fox as a core part of his legacy, as last year’s family trust battle underscores, with his son Lachlan ultimately securing control of the empire after battling (and ultimately settling with) his siblings. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 The kidnapping underscores the gangs’ grip on Haiti’s capital as the country prepares for its first general election in more than a decade. — Yolanda Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 The latest changes arrive in the heat of a midterm election cycle that has underscored the strains on American democracy. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underscore

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underscore

Verb

Both local governments filed their briefs to the Supreme Court this week, emphasizing their arguments that the bans are lawful because the AR-15 and similar weapons are not ordinary firearms.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2026
Officials emphasized that machines are tested before each election and that in most jurisdictions, there is a postelection audit that consists of a manual hand count of a sample of paper ballots.

— Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Mental health experts have voiced concerns about chatbots’ sycophancy, lack of clinical nuance, and ability to reinforce delusional beliefs.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Kim Yo Jong, widely viewed as the second most powerful official in Pyongyang, made the statement after visiting frontline areas where soldiers are reinforcing the border.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Browse Nearby Words

underrating

underscore

underscored

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

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Synonyms of underscore

verb

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