un·der·line
ˈən-dər-ˌlīn 
ˌən-dər-ˈlīn
ˌən-dər-ˈlīn
underlined; underlining; underlines
1
: to mark (something, such as a word) with a line underneath
2
: to put emphasis on : stress
3
: to show clearly or emphatically
un·der·line
ˈən-dər-ˌlīn
1
: the outline of a quadruped's underbody
also
: the ventral surface of a quadruped's body
2
: a horizontal line placed underneath something
Examples of underline in a Sentence
Verb
His name was underlined in the book.
The accident underlines our need for better safety procedures.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The number of homes approved under the Complete Communities incentive — which lets developers build many more units than the underlining zoning would otherwise allow — has skyrocketed from 170 in 2022 to 1,131 in 2023 and to 1,917 in 2024.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Muhammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Simple arithmetic such as 355/113 could be calculated in place by selecting the text and pressing USE FRONT-CALC (Control-G), which yields the answer with a dotted underline to indicate the result of a computation.
—Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underline
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
That cash requirement was underlined further in late August when Spurs ‘factored’ their Premier League prize money for this season.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The number of homes approved under the Complete Communities incentive — which lets developers build many more units than the underlining zoning would otherwise allow — has skyrocketed from 170 in 2022 to 1,131 in 2023 and to 1,917 in 2024.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
As the events of recent days underline, the diplomatic shift is clear.
—Muhammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Simple arithmetic such as 355/113 could be calculated in place by selecting the text and pressing USE FRONT-CALC (Control-G), which yields the answer with a dotted underline to indicate the result of a computation.
—Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underline
Cite this Entry
“Underline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underline. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share