Underscore: meaning, example and synonyms

Underscorev. To emphasize or draw attention to something.

Flashcard for Underscore (verb): to emphasize or draw attention to something. Example: The flood underscored the need for better drainage, as water pooled in the same streets residents had complained about for years. Synonyms: emphasize, highlight, stress, accentuate. Antonyms: downplay, minimize, understate, obscure. Memory tip: Underscore = underline: you draw a line under what matters. Illustration: a hand with a brush painting a bold blue underline beneath a blank space on a long sheet of paper.

Example

The flood underscored the need for better drainage, as water pooled in the same streets residents had complained about for years.

Part of speech
verb
Synonyms
emphasize, highlight, stress, accentuate
Antonyms
downplay, minimize, understate, obscure
Memory tip
Underscore = underline: you draw a line under what matters.

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Check yourself: Underscore in context

Pick the word that best completes each text, as on the SAT's words-in-context questions.

Question 1

The sudden blackout ______ how dependent the city had become on a single aging power plant.

Question 2

In her conclusion, the author repeats the statistic to ______ just how quickly the glaciers are melting.

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