realzar

Realzar is a Spanish verb with transitive use, meaning to raise something in prominence or to enhance and highlight it. It can refer to physical elevation, such as highlighting a feature of a building or sculpture, or to figurative emphasis, such as emphasizing qualities, colors, or details in art, design, communication, or evaluation. The sense of making something more visible or important is common across contexts, including architecture, photography, marketing, and literary analysis.

Etymology and related forms are linked to alzar (to raise) and the notion of increasing prominence. The related noun realce denotes prominence or emphasis, from which the verb realzar is derived. The term is often used to indicate purposeful enhancement rather than mere height.

Usage and nuance: realzar is neutral and widely used in formal and neutral registers. It is often interchangeable with resaltar or enfatizar, though realzar emphasizes elevation or boosting of prominence. It should be distinguished from exaltar or enaltecer, which carry stronger connotations of praise or moral appraisal.

Examples:

- El relieve realza las sombras y acentúa los contornos.

- La iluminación realza los rasgos de la modelo.

- El informe busca realzar la calidad del servicio.

- La ciudad realzó su patrimonio con una restauración.

See also: alzar, realce, resaltar, enaltecer, ensalzar, engrandecer.

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