accentuate

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++ac·cen·tu·ate /əkˈsentʃueɪt/ verb [transitive]  EMPHASIZEto make something more noticeable 使突出；强调 The photograph seemed to accentuate his large nose. 照片似乎突出了他的大鼻子。► see thesaurus at emphasize —accentuation /əkˌsentʃuˈeɪʃən/ noun [countable, uncountable]→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

accentuate• Roasted Three-Seed Bread makes superior toast because then the roasted flavors are accentuated.• The separation between the entryway and the living room can be further accentuated by placing a screen near the doorway.• The rejection of the newly mobile toddler may be accentuated if another baby is born at this time.• In Britain, the choice between state and private schools accentuates the differences between rich and poor.• Her mouth was full, and a half-moon of light accentuated the lustrous curve of her lower lip.• But the very act of liberals accentuating the positive is what is likely to intrigue political scientists, historians and economists.• This will almost always accentuate the rigidity and sometimes is the only manner in which it can be demonstrated.• The director uses music to accentuate the rising dramatic tension.Origin accentuate (1700-1800) Medieval Latin past participle of accentuare, from Latin accentus; → ACCENT1

ac·cen·tu·ate verbChineseSyllable  

make something noticeable Corpus to more

accentuate
ac‧cen‧tu‧ate /əkˈsentʃueɪt/ verb [transitive]to make something more noticeable:
    The photograph seemed to accentuate his large nose.
—accentuation /əkˌsentʃuˈeɪʃən/ noun [uncountable and countable]
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ emphasize to say strongly or show clearly that a fact, idea etc is especially important: Our company emphasizes the need for good communication between staff.
   ▪ stress to emphasize something when you are talking about a subject: Most schools stress the importance of parental involvement in their child’s learning. | He stressed the need for parents to listen to their children.
   ▪ highlight to show that something is important, so that people will pay special attention to it: This case highlights the need for tougher laws on gun ownership. | The report highlights the decline in the numbers of native plants and insects.
   ▪ underline/underscore to help to show clearly that a fact is true, especially a fact that is already known: These attacks underline the fact that the security situation here remains fragile. | The president’s speech repeatedly underscored the progress that has been made.
   ▪ accentuate to show something clearly and make it easier to notice: The recent economic crisis has accentuated the gap between the rich and the poor.
   ▪ overemphasize to emphasize something too much: The relation between food and health is often overemphasized in my view.
   ▪ play up to emphasize something and make it seem more important than it really is, especially to get advantages for yourself: The story has been played up by the media. | The Labour party had a great time playing up the Conservatives’ problems.

ac·cen·tu·ateBrE /əkˈsentʃueɪt/ 🔊NAmE /əkˈsentʃueɪt/ 🔊 verbpresent simple - I / you / we / they accentuate BrE /əkˈsentʃueɪt/ 🔊 NAmE /əkˈsentʃueɪt/ 🔊present simple - he / she / it accentuates BrE /əkˈsentʃueɪts/ 🔊 NAmE /əkˈsentʃueɪts/ 🔊past simple accentuated BrE /əkˈsentʃueɪtɪd/ 🔊 NAmE /əkˈsentʃueɪtɪd/ 🔊past participle accentuated BrE /əkˈsentʃueɪtɪd/ 🔊 NAmE /əkˈsentʃueɪtɪd/ 🔊 -ing form accentuating BrE /əkˈsentʃueɪtɪŋ/ 🔊 NAmE /əkˈsentʃueɪtɪŋ/ 🔊~ sth to emphasize sth or make it more noticeable 着重；强调；使突出▸ ac·cen·tu·ation BrE /əkˌsentʃuˈeɪʃn/ 🔊NAmE /əkˌsentʃuˈeɪʃn/ 🔊 noun [uncountable]