What do we call an accent that is given a sudden emphasis?

The term for an accent that is given a sudden emphasis is "sforzando." This musical notation indicates that a note or chord should be played with a strong, sudden accent, creating a dramatic contrast in volume. The emphasis that sforzando provides can significantly enhance the expressiveness of a piece, drawing attention to specific moments in the music.

In contrast, staccato refers to notes that are played sharply and detached, rather than with an emphasis on volume. Piano simply means to play softly, and legato indicates that notes should be played smoothly and connected, without breaks. Thus, while the other terms refer to different aspects of dynamics or articulation, sforzando specifically captures the idea of a sudden, forceful emphasis.