underscore

[ verb uhn-der-skawr, -skohr, uhn-der-skawr, -skohr; noun uhn-der-skawr, -skohr ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·scored, un·der·scor·ing.

1. to mark with a line or lines underneath; underline, as for emphasis.
2. to stress; emphasize:

   The recent tragedy underscores the danger of disregarding safety rules.

noun

1. a line drawn beneath something written or printed.
2. music for a film soundtrack; background for a film or stage production.

underscore

verb

1. to draw or score a line or mark under
2. to stress or reinforce

noun

1. a line drawn under written matter

Word History and Origins

Origin of underscore¹

First recorded in 1765–75; under- + score

Example Sentences

His work in passing the Affordable Care Act, embracing medical research, and ensuring job training programs are funded underscore what we who work with Jim every day know — when he fights, he delivers.

From Washington Post

The meta-analysis most of all underscores that there is no secret to happiness, no bliss-bringing epiphany.

From Nautilus

That it came and went largely unnoticed underscores just how irrelevant the Wildcats were this year.

From Washington Post

Be sure also to only use lowercase letters and hyphens to separate words rather than underscores.

From Search Engine Watch

The line of questioning underscores how Republicans intend to keep the focus of Wednesday’s hearing on accusations that tech companies are biased against conservatives.

From Washington Post

These terrible roles tended to further underscore that she would always be best-known for wearing a dress.

From The Daily Beast

To underscore the “shame,” street sweepers followed along behind the prisoners, cleaning the street.

From The Daily Beast

To underscore the point: The Constitution strongly protects us against theocrats who would pass religious precepts into law.

From The Daily Beast

They underscore the extent to which our ideas of normality are tied closely to socioeconomic status.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, other elements had to be added in to underscore that concept, and it also became a mother-son movie.

From The Daily Beast

Why the "many frequent and free conversations respecting me and my conduct," which you have taken so much pains to underscore?

From Project Gutenberg

Here we underscore c′ and c; and, as the whole thing now reads as e′a, we tack on e′a0 as the Conclusion, with a ¶.

From Project Gutenberg

Our poets do not need to underscore words or to use heavy headlines and italics.

From Project Gutenberg

Amendments can be read by placing cursor over words with a dashed underscore like this.

From Project Gutenberg

We may pencil on the margin, or underscore, all the leading propositions, and the typical examples.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accentuate
• highlight
• indicate
• mark
• stress