Another word for highlight
The best other words for highlight are emphasize, outline, underscore and accentuate.
- Most formal
- emphasize, underscore, accentuate
- Strongest
- spotlight, emphasize, underscore
- Casual
- pick out
- Instead of “really important”
- important, key, major
Highlight /ˈhaɪ.laɪt/ (noun, verb): the most important or striking part of something, or to make something stand out. In simple words: to make something stand out so people notice it. Below are 12 rated synonyms across 2 senses, plus 29 more related words. Tap a chip for its nuance and an example.
12 synonyms shown
Verb sense · verb
to make something stand out or seem more important
Mark for attention · verb
to mark or make visible with bright color
Find the right strength and register
Drag the amber target to how strong and how formal you need the word to be. The three closest synonyms light up.
You asked for: equal strength, neutral register
- stress — plain, direct, and slightly forceful
- emphasize — neutral, broad term for giving special importance
- underscore — formal; suggests reinforcing an important point
The dashed ring marks “highlight” itself: neutral strength, neutral register.
Synonyms for highlight in your sentence
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How to choose
Choose highlight when you mean the most important or memorable part, or the act of making something stand out. Use more specific alternatives when you want a different register: stress and emphasize are general, underscore is more formal, and showstopper is more vivid and expressive.
Antonyms of highlight
- downplay
- minimize
- obscure
- hide
- conceal
- marginalize
All synonyms at a glance
| Synonym | Strength | Formality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| emphasize | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| underscore | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| accentuate | 3/5 | formal | business, creative |
| stress | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| spotlight | 4/5 | neutral | business, creative, casual |
| feature | 2/5 | neutral | business, academic, creative |
| mark | 1/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| indicate | 1/5 | formal | academic, business |
| outline | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative |
| underline | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| shade | 2/5 | neutral | academic, creative, business |
| pick out | 2/5 | casual | casual, creative, business |
Instead of “very highlight”
One precise word usually beats an intensifier. See the full words instead of “very” list.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| really important | important, key, major |
| very important | important, crucial, vital |
| so important | important, essential, critical |
More words related to highlight
Looser matches and phrases, unrated. Check the sense before you swap one in, or compare it with “highlight”.
- call attention to
- draw attention to
- bring attention to
- make stand out
- set off
- single out
- bring into focus
- focus on
- center attention on
- give prominence to
- make prominent
- give visibility to
- bring to notice
- point up
- feature prominently
- make conspicuous
- distinguish
- render conspicuous
- advertise
- showcase
- foreground
- foregrounding
- bring to the fore
- call out
- flag
- spot
- shine a light on
- make clear
- bring out
Questions about synonyms for highlight
What is the most formal or academic alternative to highlight?
Underscore is often the most formal neutral choice when you mean to emphasize a point. In academic and business writing, it usually sounds more precise than highlight or stress.
What is a stronger or milder alternative to highlight?
Spotlight is a stronger alternative when you want a clearer sense of drawing attention to one thing. For a milder, more neutral choice, emphasize or stress is usually better.
When should I use highlight as a noun versus a verb?
Use the noun for the best or most memorable part: “The highlight of the event was the speech.” Use the verb when something is being made more noticeable: “The editor highlighted the key statistics.”
What is another word for highlight when it means "make something stand out"?
Common alternatives include "draw attention to," "feature," and "set off." If you want a more direct verb, "emphasize" or "spotlight" can work well in many contexts.
What is a stronger or more formal word than highlight?
For a stronger or more formal choice, you can use "emphasize," "underscore," or "accentuate." In writing, "bring into focus" and "give prominence to" are also natural options.