1
Emphasise a point
Make an idea appear especially important.
Example
The findings underscore the need for early screening.
underscore
/ˌʌndəˈskɔː/ · un-duh-SKORverb
To emphasise something or draw special attention to it.
Use underscore when the context supports this precise meaning: to emphasise something or draw special attention to it.
What underscore Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Confirm significance
Provide evidence that highlights a conclusion.
Example
The contrasting results underscore how much context matters.
3
Mark typographically
Draw a line beneath text.
Example
Editors once underscored words that printers would italicise.
Use underscore Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The findings underscore the need for early screening.
The contrasting results underscore how much context matters.
Editors once underscored words that printers would italicise.
Precision Matters
Underscore overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
underscore
vs.Means to emphasise something or draw special attention to it.
accentuate
Means to make a feature or difference more noticeable or prominent.
underscore
vs.Means to emphasise something or draw special attention to it.
obscure
Means not well known or difficult to understand.
underscore
vs.Means to emphasise something or draw special attention to it.
substantiate
Means to support or establish a claim with evidence.
underscore
vs.Means to emphasise something or draw special attention to it.
minimize
Means reduce or represent as less important.
Test underscore in Context
The differences draw attention to the danger.
1
The sharp regional differences ___ the danger of treating the national average as universal.