Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense underscores, present participle underscoring, past tense, past participle underscored
1. verb
If something such as an action or an event underscores another, it draws attention to the other thing and emphasizes its importance.
[mainly US]
The Labor Department figures underscore the shaky state of the economic recovery. [VERB noun]
The rash of accidental shootings underscores how difficult it will be to restoreorder here. [VERB wh]
[Also VERB that]regional note: in BRIT, usually use underline
2. verb
If you underscore something such as a word or a sentence, you draw a line underneath it in order to make people notice it or give it extra importance.
[mainly US]
He heavily underscored his note to Shelley. [VERB noun]
regional note: in BRIT, usually use underline
underscore in British English
verb (ˌʌndəˈskɔː)(transitive)
1.
to draw or score a line or mark under
2.
to stress or reinforce
noun (ˈʌndəˌskɔː)
3.
a line drawn under written matter
underscore in American English
(ˌʌndərˈskɔr; for n. ˈʌndərˌskɔr)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˌunderˈscored or ˌunderˈscoring
1.
underline
noun
2.
a line drawn under a word, passage, etc., as for emphasis
Examples of 'underscore' in a sentence
underscore
They have also further underscored the distinctive transatlantic connections that the trade fostered.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The crisis has also underscored the importance of international action to stabilise the economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
That most racecourses offer free and convenient parking should also be underscored.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The report underscored the crucial importance of spotting cancers early.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The arc of his playing career neatly underscores just why he understands the game so well.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
History underscores just how sensitive management of backbench relations can be in a coalition government.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But it heavily underscored something else too.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Experts said that the findings underscored the need for a better test to spot the most deadly cancers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Chancellor acknowledged the risks but said that they underscored the need for continued austerity.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
A continuing collapse in consumer confidence underscored those concerns.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He said that such provocation underscored the need for action against the defiance of a rogue nuclear power and the spread of weapons across the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Dr Cable said that the chaos underscored the need for change to make the banks stronger and protect taxpayers from the need for future bailouts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Fourth, the court's ruling underscores the importance of verbal representations made by church schools regarding the services they provide.