Underscored

To underscore something is to emphasize, highlight, or give special importance to it. It can involve drawing attention to a point, idea, or detail, often to ensure it is understood or remembered. This emphasis might be achieved through verbal stress, written emphasis (like underlining), or a specific action designed to draw focus. Underscoring serves to clarify and strengthen the impact of the emphasized element, signaling its significance within a larger context. Essentially, it signifies a purposeful act of bringing something into sharper focus or making it more prominent. The intensity of this highlighting can vary depending on the context and the message's purpose, ranging from gentle emphasis to bold declarations.

Underscored meaning with examples

• The professor underscored the importance of critical thinking, reiterating it throughout the lecture and providing several case studies to illustrate its significance. He encouraged students to question information and assess sources, thereby providing a solid foundation for academic success, and highlighting the key principle.
• During the marketing meeting, the CEO underscored the company's commitment to sustainable practices, announcing new initiatives and investments in eco-friendly materials, thereby reinforcing their commitment, and showing a new direction that would drive public perception.
• The detective underscored the suspect's inconsistent alibi, repeatedly questioning the timeline and highlighting discrepancies in their story, indicating that this would be a key point in the case and helping the jury build the facts.
• The artist underscored the vibrant colors in the painting by using a bold, contrasting frame, drawing the viewer's eye to the focal point and adding emphasis, leading to a dramatic visual effect.
• In her closing statement, the lawyer underscored the defendant's lack of motive, reminding the jury of the absence of any financial gain or personal grudge, and focusing the panel's mind on a singular point, in this case, the key facts.